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Gyanvapi case now posted for Thursday

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The hearing in the Varanasi Gyanvapi Mosque case will now be held from Thursday.

In accordance with the Supreme Court’s orders, the court will take up the Muslim side’s application on the maintainability of the suit under order 7, rule 11.

The process of hearing in the case will start on Thursday (May 26), with the ‘maintainability’ issue coming first. The court also ordered the two sides to file affidavits with their objections to the survey report within a week.

The mosque committee says that filming at the mosque violates a 1991 law that prevents the alteration of the character of any place of worship in the country. It wanted the ‘maintainability’ case to be heard first, which the court has agreed to.

The Supreme Court had asked the Varanasi court to decide on priority whether the survey at the Gyanvapi mosque and the petition that led to the survey was ‘maintainable’ or not.

“I told the court that it is a mandate of the Supreme Court that our application saying the case is not maintainable should be heard first. I read out my application and also the Supreme Court order. The opposing counsel said he needed more documents and time to file objections to our application, but I said the maintainability must be decided first,” said Abhay Nath Yadav, a lawyer for the Mosque committee.

The court also said that both the sides be given copies of the video survey and one week’s time to file their objections, if any.

Early last week, lawyers representing the Hindu petitioners claimed that a ‘Shivling’ was found during the videography survey of the Gyanvapi mosque-Shringar Gauri complex.

The claim was disputed by the mosque committee members who said it was part of the water fountain mechanism in the wuzukhana reservoir, used by devotees to perform ritual ablutions before offering namaz. The district court had then ordered the sealing of the ‘wuzukhana’.

This application relates to whether the reliefs sought by the five Hindu petitioners can even be granted by a court of law. The Muslim side is expected to argue that the suit is barred by the 1991 Place of Worship Act.

There are no specific orders yet on whether the matter will be heard on a day-to-day basis from May 26 onwards. Preliminary arguments will begin on May 26.

The district judge Dr A.K. Vishvesha has also asked for objections to the Gyanvapi mosque survey report filed by the commission from both parties.

It may be recalled that a petition filed in 1991 in a Varanasi court claimed that the Gyanvapi Mosque was built on the orders of Aurangzeb by demolishing a part of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple during his reign in the 16th century.

The petitioners and local priests sought permission to worship in the Gyanvapi Mosque complex.

The Allahabad High Court in 2019 ordered a stay on an ASI survey that was requested by the petitioners.

The current controversy started when five Hindu women sought to routinely worship Shringar Gauri and other idols within the Gyanvapi mosque complex.

Last month, a Varanasi court ordered a videographed survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex after the five Hindu women filed pleas, seeking to worship behind the western wall of the premises.

Crime

Mumbai Airport Drug Bust: 19.65 Kg Hydroponic Weed Worth ₹19.65 Crore Seized At CSMIA, 4 Arrested For Smuggling From Thailand

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Mumbai: The Mumbai Airport Customs officials have arrested four persons in three cases for allegedly smuggling drugs totally weighing 19.65 kgs valued at Rs 19.65 crore from Thailand.

According to the Customs, in the first two cases, on the basis of spot profiling, the Customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI), Mumbai, intercepted two passengers arriving from Bangkok on 26.08.2025.

During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered 11.64 kg of suspected hydroponic weed (marijuana), with an illicit market value of approximately Rs 11.64 crores. The narcotic substance was cleverly concealed inside the checked-in trolley bag carried by the passengers. Two passengers were arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

“In the third case, on the basis of specific intelligence, the Customs officers at CSMIA intercepted two passengers arriving from Phuket on 27.08.2025. During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered 8.01 kg of suspected hydroponic weed (marijuana), with an illicit market value of approximately Rs 8.01 crores. The narcotic substance was cleverly concealed inside the checked-in trolley bag carried by the passengers, who were later placed under arrest,” said a Customs official.

“As the investigation in the case is at a very preliminary stage, efforts are also being made to identify and apprehend key associates of the accused persons. Both the accused have been arrested and further probe is on,” the Customs official said.

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Crime

Navi Mumbai Crime: 27-Year-Old Fake IAS Officer Posing As MEA Additional Commissioner Arrested In Airoli With Forged IDs

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Navi Mumbai: Rabale Police have arrested a 27-year-old man for impersonating an IAS officer and posing as an Additional Commissioner in the Ministry of External Affairs. The accused, identified as Daniel David Waghmare, was nabbed in Airoli, where he had been projecting himself as a senior government official.

Forged Identity Cards And Visiting Cards Seized

Police seized forged identity cards of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Department, along with fake visiting cards. Authorities suspect he duped multiple people using these documents. “He is being interrogated thoroughly,” said Senior Police Inspector Balkrishna Sawant.

According to police, Waghmare, a resident of Saptrashrungi Apartments, Sector-15, Airoli, created a false impression of being an IAS officer and was frequently invited as a chief guest at school and community events, including flag-hoisting ceremonies.

The case came to light after Mayur Patil, Vice President of the Airoli Assembly (Shiv Sena – Shinde faction), cross-checked Waghmare’s credentials. Patil’s younger brother revealed that Waghmare had actually worked under him at a call center. Patil then lodged a complaint with the Rabale police.

Initially, Waghmare even misled the police by claiming to be a senior official. However, further verification proved his documents were fake, leading to his arrest on charges of forgery and cheating.

Investigators also found that Waghmare had promoted himself on social media, posting congratulatory messages on his ‘appointment,’ photographs in government offices and vehicles, and even a video suggesting he held a diplomatic passport. After the arrest, he deleted most of these posts.

Police are now probing the extent of his activities and whether he cheated more people under the guise of being a high-ranking officer.

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Crime

Thane Crime: Firing In Ulhasnagar Over Family Dispute; One Injured By Gunshot, Another Attacked With Sword

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Thane: A shocking act of violence erupted late Monday night in the Sainath Colony area of Ulhasnagar, where a long-standing family dispute turned dangerous. One person was seriously injured after being shot, while another was attacked with a sword.

The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of Hillline Police Station and has sparked fear among residents. Upon receiving the alert, the police rushed to the scene, conducted a panchnama, and launched an investigation. Special teams have been deployed to locate and apprehend the attackers.

According to reports, tensions between the accused and the victim’s family had been simmering for the past few days. On Monday night, the situation escalated drastically. The accused reportedly used firearms and a sword during the attack.

The victim injured in the firing has been admitted to a private hospital in Thane in critical condition. The second victim is also receiving medical treatment for sword-related injuries.

DCP Sachin Gore confirmed that the violence stemmed from a family dispute. He stated, We have identified the accused, and they will be arrested soon. Citizens are urged not to fall prey to any rumours, as reported.

A large police presence has been deployed in Ulhasnagar to maintain peace and ensure public safety. Hillline Police are also examining CCTV footage and continuing their investigation into the case.

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