Mumbai: A final decision has been reached to shut down the SMS company in the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar area by 2027; the facility had been polluting the air and posing a health risk to local residents for years. This development—achieved through a prolonged public struggle and persistent protests led by the Samajwadi Party—is being hailed as a major victory and a source of immense relief for the area’s inhabitants.

A special event was organized to celebrate this success, during which the history of the long struggle was revisited in the presence of the Samajwadi Party’s Maharashtra State President and local MLA, Abu Asim Azmi. During the event, the hard work of party workers and the unparalleled cooperation of local citizens were acknowledged, with the history of the campaign displayed on an LED screen. Key actions were highlighted, including the extensive campaign against the company led by State President Abu Asim Azmi; the organization of large-scale sit-ins and protest marches; raising the issue prominently in the Legislative Assembly to pressure the government and administration to close or relocate the plant; and waging a legal battle to vigorously expose violations of pollution control standards. State President Abu Asim Azmi extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the residents of Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar on this achievement. He stated that this success is a testament to the patience and unwavering struggle of the local people, who never allowed their voices against pollution to be silenced. They also expressed gratitude to every citizen and party worker who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with them throughout this entire struggle. It was further clarified that although a 2027 deadline has been set for the company’s closure, the campaign to secure a clean, healthy, and safe environment for Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar will not stop here; the Samajwadi Party’s struggle to protect the local environment and the health rights of residents will continue with full intensity in the days ahead.

The Indian Coast Guard and the Gujarat ATS have achieved a major breakthrough against an international drug smuggling network in Gujarat. In a joint operation, the two agencies seized drugs worth approximately ₹3,000 crore from a boat in the Arabian Sea.

Five Pakistani nationals have been arrested in connection with this operation. A total of 526 kilograms of narcotics were recovered from the boat. The arrested individuals are currently being interrogated.

The Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS busted a major drug smuggling network through this joint operation in the Arabian Sea.

Acting on intelligence inputs, the agencies intercepted a suspicious boat at sea. A search of the vessel yielded 526 kilograms of narcotics, estimated to be worth around ₹3,000 crore in the international market.

Five Pakistani nationals on board the boat were arrested during the operation. All the accused are being questioned. Investigative agencies are working to determine the origin of the drug consignment and its intended destination within India.

Efforts are also underway to identify other individuals involved in this network.

Further investigation into the matter is currently ongoing. Details regarding the entire drug supply chain and other individuals linked to the international smuggling network will only be revealed after the investigation concludes.

The Bombay High Court today paved the way for the release of a 65-year-old man who has been imprisoned for the past fifteen years on terrorism charges. A division bench comprising Justice Sarang Vijaykumar Kotwal and Justice Ranjit Sinha Raja Bhonsle granted the accused, Kafeel Ahmed, permission to present a surety from outside Maharashtra; the Court had previously ordered him to produce a local resident as a surety. Kafeel Ahmed had filed a petition in the Bombay High Court through the Jamiat Ulama-e-Maharashtra (Arshad Madani) Legal Aid Committee. During today’s hearing, Advocate Mateen Shaikh informed the Court that despite being granted bail nearly a year ago, the accused remains compelled to endure the hardships of imprisonment because he hails from Bihar and has no one in Maharashtra to stand as his surety. Advocate Mateen Shaikh further informed the court that the accused is 65 years old and is already suffering from various ailments while in prison; therefore, the conditions of his bail should be modified. Initially, the court expressed reluctance, noting that the accused faced serious charges and thus the bail conditions could not be altered; however, after hearing Advocate Mateen Shaikh’s arguments, the court granted relief to the accused. This decision was made despite strong opposition from the public prosecutor regarding the modification of bail conditions. It is worth noting that two weeks ago, the son of the accused, Kafeel Ahmed, met with Maulana Haleemullah Qasmi, President of Jamiat Ulama-e-Maharashtra, to request his elderly father’s release from prison; subsequently, a petition was filed in the Bombay High Court, which was heard today. Kafeel Ahmed is accused of involvement—alongside other co-accused—in the 13/7 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case, which involved explosions at three different locations in the city. Charges were framed against Kafeel Ahmed and the other eleven accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)—including Sections 302, 307, 326, 325, 324, 379, 109, and 120-B—as well as under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The Jamiat Ulama-e-Maharashtra Legal Aid Committee is providing legal assistance to the accused facing charges in this case: Naqi Ahmed Wasi Ahmed, Nadeem Akhtar Ashfaq Shaikh, Haroon Abdul Rashid Naik, Kafeel Ahmed Mohammad Ayub Ansari, Asadullah Akhtar Javed Akhtar (alias ‘Haddi’), Syed Ismail Afaq Alim Lanka, Saddam Hussain Feroz Khan, and Zain-ul-Abideen Abdul Razzaq. Advocates Abdul Wahab Khan, Sharif Shaikh, Hasnain Qazi, and others are appearing in the Sessions Court to represent the accused.