National News
Bombay HC Considers Departmental Action Against Civic Officials Failing To Remove Illegal Hoardings
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Friday orally remarked that it may direct departmental enquiries against civic officials who fail to act on complaints of illegal hoardings within a fixed time. The court said this would be included in its order to be passed in two weeks.
A bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Sandesh Patil was hearing a batch of petitions highlighting the rampant menace of unauthorised banners across Maharashtra. Advocate General Birendra Saraf submitted a set of proposals prepared by the state government to tackle the issue.
One key suggestion was that all political parties file fresh undertakings before the court within four weeks, assuring they will not put up banners without permission. Parties, identified as the “biggest violators,” would also have to submit affidavits within a month, spelling out compliance measures and naming a responsible representative.
For Mumbai, the Senior Inspector of Licence in every ward would be appointed as a “Ward Level Nodal Officer” responsible for removing illegal hoardings and ensuring compliance with court directions. Similar officers would be named in other municipal corporations, councils and zilla parishads.
Citizens would get toll-free complaint numbers with options to upload photos and locations of illegal banners. Even anonymous complaints would need to be acted upon. Nodal officers would conduct daily rounds and initiate legal action against violators.
The proposals also call for stricter checks: authorised banners would carry QR codes with organiser details and validity. Officers removing illegal hoardings would be required to photograph them as proof and keep records for police reference.
A Secretary-level officer in the state government would supervise compliance. Municipal bodies and district collectors would file bi-monthly reports, to be reviewed through quarterly meetings with the supervising officer. Citizen committees would be formed at the ward level to monitor hoardings and escalate lapses.
Emphasising that violations fall under the Defacement Act, the compilation said police must register cases once municipal officers report offences.
The bench noted: “If Nodal officers don’t perform their duty, then what is the mechanism? Some departmental enquiry? If negligence is found, then a departmental enquiry within 4-8 weeks, we will add.” The HC has scheduled the matter for hearing on October 15.
Business
Adani Enterprises’ Q2 revenue jumps 74 pc to Rs 38,023 crore; EBITDA rises 62 pc

Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), the flagship company of the Adani Group, on Wednesday reported a strong financial performance for the second quarter of FY27, with consolidated revenue surging 74 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 38,023 crore.
EBITDA increased 62 per cent year-on-year to Rs 6,316 crore, while continuing profit before tax (PBT) surged 146 per cent to Rs 2,002 crore, according to its stock exchange filing.
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said that the company’s strong earnings growth reflected the maturity of investments made over the past several years and the ability of multiple businesses to achieve scale.
“We live in an age of such intense disruption that the scale of our ambitions must continuously grow. What Adani Enterprises has become very effective at is turning increasingly large and complex commitments into execution at scale across our businesses,” Gautam Adani stated.
“Our investments in integrated energy, airports and AI ecosystems are recent examples. Perhaps, the strongest validation of our execution capabilities is the trust domestic and global investors continue to place in us, choosing to partner with us even amid extreme volatility,” the Adani Group Chairman noted.
For the first half of FY27, consolidated revenue rose 62 per cent to Rs 71,569 crore, while EBITDA climbed 56 per cent to Rs 11,958 crore.
Continuing PBT during the six-month period grew 45 per cent to Rs 3,297 crore. AEL said earnings were supported by the rapid ramp-up of its copper business, which contributed EBITDA of Rs 2,033 crore during the first half of the financial year.
The copper plant continued to scale up production, with sales volumes increasing 5.2 times year-on-year in H1 FY27.
The company also recorded progress across its emerging businesses. Adani New Industries Limited (ANIL) expanded its solar module manufacturing capacity to 10 GW after commissioning a 4.3 GW ‘TopCon’ module line in September 2026.
In the digital infrastructure segment, ‘AdaniConnex’ secured a new hyperscale order of 240 MW for its Navi Mumbai data centre.
AEL’s financial profile also received a boost during the quarter after CARE Ratings upgraded its long-term credit rating to AA with a ‘Stable’ outlook, the highest credit rating achieved by the company in its history.
National News
J&K Police intensifies crackdown on regulated materials

Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Wednesday that it has intensified inspections of regulated materials across various districts.
Officials said police have intensified inspections of businesses dealing in regulated and potentially sensitive materials across several districts, with checks targeting fertiliser, chemical, pesticide and hardware shops, besides other commercial establishments, to prevent unauthorised sale or misuse of such items.
In Baramulla district, police inspected hardware shops, pesticide outlets and car dealerships in Pattan, verifying licences, permits and mandatory records. All inspected establishments were found compliant with the applicable regulations.
In Reasi, police inspected 62 shops dealing in fertilisers, chemicals and other regulated materials, scrutinising stock details and sale registers. Shopkeepers were directed to maintain proper records and install CCTV cameras. Inspections of medical shops, SIM vendors and online service providers were also reported.
In Bandipora, police conducted checks on SIM-card vendors at Ajas and fertiliser outlets falling under Police Station Aragam and Police Post Sumlar, directing businesses to maintain accurate records and strengthen surveillance.
In Ramban, police inspected shops dealing in fertilisers, seeds and explosive materials to verify stocks, licences and other records and prevent unauthorised sale or diversion of regulated items.
The inspections form part of preventive security measures aimed at strengthening oversight of sensitive commercial supplies and identifying possible violations before materials can be diverted for unlawful purposes.
During inspection, police checked stocks, licences and relevant records maintained by the establishments. The exercise was aimed at preventing the misuse of regulated materials and ensuring their lawful handling and storage.
Police said the inspection was part of preventive measures being undertaken to maintain public safety and law and order during festive celebrations.
Shopkeepers and dealers were advised to adhere to applicable laws and cooperate with the authorities during inspections.
Inspecting identity verification protocols for customers making large or unusual purchases of sensitive items was carried out.
Inspections are meant to ensure proper and secure storage conditions to prevent theft, accidents, or misuse.
Business
Do not close shop of love in market of Diwali: CTI to Rahul on Nov 1 rally issue, seeks 20-minute meet with 20 traders

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI), an apex organisation representing traders and entrepreneurs in Delhi, on Wednesday wrote an open letter to the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, seeking a 20-minute meeting with him to discuss the Congress-led INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan.
In the letter, CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal made a proposal involving 20 representatives from 20 major wholesale markets located near Ramlila Maidan, asking Rahul Gandhi to spare 20 minutes for a discussion on the potential impact of the rally on business activities in the national capital.
The CTI has proposed that if Rahul Gandhi can convince the traders during the meeting that the proposed mega rally, expected to draw one million people, would boost business and expand their customer base, the organisation would immediately withdraw its opposition and welcome the event.
However, if the traders convince Rahul Gandhi that the rally would adversely affect business in the 20 major markets surrounding Ramlila Maidan, he should postpone it until after Diwali in the public interest.
“We want dialogue, not a fight,” Goyal said.
He added that Rahul Gandhi often speaks about listening to everyone, including small traders, and that the proposed meeting would provide an opportunity to hear their concerns.
“Rahul Gandhi himself says that he listens to everyone and hears the voices of small traders. So, we, the traders from 20 markets, are asking him for 20 minutes. This would be the beauty of democracy,” Goyal said.
According to the CTI, the 20 markets fall within a radius of one to five kilometres of Ramlila Maidan and could face disruptions on the day of the rally.
The markets include Chandni Chowk, Bhagirath Palace, Khari Baoli, Sadar Bazaar, Chawri Bazaar, Kashmere Gate, Nabi Karim, Karol Bagh, Ajmeri Gate, Daryaganj, Nai Sadak, Kinari Bazaar, Dariba Kalan, Fatehpuri, Naya Bazaar, Filmistan, Paharganj, Gaffar Market, Jama Masjid-Meena Bazaar and Lajpat Rai Market.
These markets represent a wide range of businesses, including wholesale electronics, electrical goods, spices, dry fruits, garments, jewellery, books, stationery, machinery, auto parts, furniture, timber, mobile phones, crockery and grocery items.
The CTI said the rally could affect traders’ business operations due to the anticipated crowd, traffic restrictions and possible diversions in the surrounding areas.
In its letter, the organisation also referred to Rahul Gandhi’s message of promoting love and harmony, saying traders respected his efforts but were concerned about the potential impact of the rally during the festive season.
“Rahul ji, you open a shop of love in the market of hatred, we respect you, but do not close the shop of love in the market of Diwali. We are the traders who are the true face of your shop of love,” the letter stated.
The CTI expressed hope that Rahul Gandhi would accept its request for a 20-minute meeting to discuss the November 1 rally and its possible consequences for traders in Delhi’s major commercial hubs.
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