Connect with us
Thursday,08-January-2026
Breaking News

Crime

Hijab ruling will have effect on constitutional morality, individual dignity, AG to HC

Published

on

Karnataka Advocate General Prabhuling Navadgi on Tuesday told the High Court that the judicial decision on hijab will have binding on “constitutional morality” and “individual dignity”.

“When we impose, the element of choice of dress goes away. The woman will be obligated to wear that dress. It becomes compulsory,” he said in his concluding remarks before a three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, hearing the hijab row.

“Women cannot be subjugated to any form of dress code and she can’t be made to feel less equal and children of a lesser god. Judicial declaration of every woman of a particular religion to wear hijab, would it not violate the dignity? If it is a compulsion of an attire, it is impermissible on this day.

“We propose no ban on hijab, it should be left to the choice of the woman. Right to privacy cannot be enshrined in public. Institutional discipline is paramount. Dignity of women must also be kept in mind in a plural society,” Navadagi said.

He also quoted a Bollywood song: “Na muh chupake jiyo, na sar jhuka ke jiyo, gamon ka daur bi aaye toh muskura ke jiyo”.

He argued that it is entirely on the petitioner to prove that the practice of hijab is obligatory in nature and compulsorily followed in Islam. However, they have placed 144 Surahs of Quran to the court’s query and there is no record on table to show that the custom is obligatory and it is an element of compulsion which compels a member to be expelled from the community, he added.

“Wearing of dress is freedom of speech, as argued by the petitioners as their fundamental right under Article 19 (1) (a). However, Article 19 (1) (a) is subject to public order, decency under Article 19 (2). In the present case, the uniform rule is subjected to institutional restriction and it is subjected to institutional discipline not only in schools but also in hospitals, military establishments and others,” the AG submitted.

“The rule imposes reasonable restrictions on wearing a headscarf,” he said, adding that a uniform is being prescribed till Pre-University as they have “an impregnable mindset”.

“There is no restriction on campus to wear a hijab. Only during class hours, in the classrooms, it has been not allowed and anything beyond uniforms, irrespective of any religion, is not allowed,” he said.

As Navadgi mentioned the total ban on hijab by France and Turkey in public spaces, Justice Krishna S. Dixit, who is also on the bench, intervened and stated that it depends on the constitutional policy of every country. He then said that he only wanted to bring out that there is no prohibition as such in our country.

Reiterating that hijab is not an essential practice of Islam and can’t come under the Constitution’s Article 25. (Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion) he sought to bring to the notice of the court that how this has been upheld by various High Courts and Supreme Court judgments.

Giving clear indications of an early verdict on hijab row, the bench had directed counsel to complete their arguments by this week.

Chief Justice Awasthi asked the Advocate General to complete his submissions at the earliest, and he said that he would complete his arguments on Tuesday.

CJ Awasthi informed all counsel that the bench wants to complete the hearing on the case by this weekend and directed them to keep the arguments brief. “Make positive endeavors to complete within this week only,” he said.

Senior advocate R. Venkataramani, appearing for teachers who have been made respondents in the case, maintained that there are no hierarchies of religions between teachers and students. “School environment is more important than a public place. There should be a free mind among students and all minds of children should be in unity for education,” he said.

“Whatever may be the assertion, if the state is in collision with public order, morality and health, it will stop. The state comes in through Article 25 (2) in the matters of religion and finance, when it comes to regulation. There is public space and qualified public space. School is a qualified public space,” he added.

Referring to the verdict of the South African court allowing the wearing of ‘nose ring’ to school there, he stated that the court did not make an emphatic statement of religion in the judgment. “Borrowing from foreign judgments could be problematic here, though we cannot close our eyes on them,” he held.

Senior advocate S.S. Nagananda, who also appeared for teachers, maintained that there is a fine line of distinction as far as culture and religion are concerned. “It is not possible for Muslims to give five time prayers, similarly, it is not possible for a Brahmin to perform Sandhyavandana three times. This practice of wearing hijab is not an essential religious practice. There are some practices, which are required to perform otherwise, they will have consequences,” he said.

Hearing will continue om Wednesday.

Crime

Mumbai: Mulund Gym Owner, Trainer Booked For Cheating 205 Members Of ₹20 Lakh After Sudden Shutdown

Published

on

Mumbai: Police registered a case against the owner and a trainer of a gym in Mulund East for allegedly cheating over 200 members by abruptly shutting down the facility after collecting annual subscription fees amounting to more than Rs 20 lakh. The case came to light after several members complained that the gym closed without notice and their money was not refunded.

According to police officials, the accused have been identified as Swapnil Nigot, the owner, and Salokhe, a trainer who was managing the facility. The duo allegedly collected approximately Rs 20.05 lakh from 205 members before shutting down Flexfit Gymnasium, located near Hanuman Chowk in Mulund East.

Police stated Nigot had rented the premises and started Flexfit Gymnasium in February 2024. A few months later, in July 2024, the gym’s operations were handed over to Salokhe, who began managing day-to-day activities. The accused allegedly attracted customers by offering heavily discounted annual membership plans, assuring them of long-term access to the facility.

The case was registered based on a complaint filed by Nilesh Nandre (53), one of the gym’s members. In his statement to the police, Nandre said he visited Flexfit Gymnasium in May 2025 while searching for a fitness centre in the area. During his visit, he met Salokhe, who offered him an annual membership for Rs 10,000, which appeared to be a lucrative deal compared to prevailing market rates.

After enrolling, Nandre recommended the gym and its discounted scheme to several of his friends and acquaintances. Many of them also signed up for annual memberships and paid the required fees. The members were able to use the gym facilities for around two months without any issues.

However, on August 9, members were suddenly informed that the gym would be temporarily shut. The management reportedly told them that there was a dispute with the property owner and assured them that the issue would be resolved within two to three days. Despite these assurances, the situation did not improve.

The accused had failed to pay the rent for the premises, following which the landlord locked the gym, leading to its abrupt closure, confirmed police. When members repeatedly contacted the management seeking refunds of their subscription amounts, they allegedly received no response.

With no refunds forthcoming and the gym remaining shut, Nandre approached the police, prompting an investigation. Based on preliminary findings, a case has been registered against Nigot and Salokhe under Section 318 (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, according to the report. Further investigation is underway.

Continue Reading

Crime

Delhi Police intensify search for YouTuber Salman in Turkman Gate stone-pelting case

Published

on

New Delhi, Jan 8: Delhi Police on Thursday intensified its search for YouTuber Salman in connection with the violence that erupted during the Municipal Corporation’s demolition drive near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in the Turkman Gate area.

According to police sources, Salman allegedly attempted to disrupt peace by using social media platforms. He is accused of calling upon locals to gather at the site during the demolition drive.

The investigation has also revealed that some influential people in the area allegedly incited residents to assemble through their respective WhatsApp groups. Police said their objective was to create unrest and obstruct the work of the administration and law enforcement agencies during the operation.

Meanwhile, an anti-encroachment drive is underway near Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque at Turkman Gate. Debris is being cleared from the site, and peace is being maintained in the area. Security forces are deployed to ensure order during the operation.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Police said they have identified 30 people involved in the violence that erupted during the municipal corporation’s demolition drive near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in the Turkman Gate area. The identification was made on the basis of CCTV footage, body-worn camera recordings of police personnel, and several viral videos from the area.

Police officials said a summons will soon be sent to Samajwadi Party MP Mohibbullah Nadvi to join the investigation, as he was allegedly present at the site before the violence broke out.

According to Delhi Police, senior officials had requested the MP to stay away from the immediate vicinity, but he continued to remain near the area before the incident.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police have till now arrested five people in connection with the stone pelting incident during the demolition drive near the mosque. Several police teams have been formed, and raids are being conducted to take the identified individuals into custody.

The copy of FIR, accessed by Media, documented the sequence of events, right from barricading of the encroached land to provocative slogans by locals and then hurling of stones at the policemen, even as the latter tried to explain to them that the demolition drive was limited to illegal constructions and freeing of illegally occupied government land.

According to the FIR, the unrest occurred at 12.40 a.m. when the policemen started barricading the area. A group of 30-35 people gathered at the spot and started shouting slogans, hindering cops from blockading the area.

Continue Reading

Crime

Mumbai Crime: Oshiwara Police Arrest Habitual Thief, Recover Stolen Valuables Worth ₹1.26 Crore

Published

on

Mumbai: The Oshiwara Police have arrested a habitual offender involved in a major housebreaking case and successfully recovered stolen property worth ₹1,26,10,450.

According to police officials, between 11:00 pm on December 29, 2025, and 7:30 am on December 30, 2025, an unidentified person gained entry through the bathroom window of a bungalow (No. 15, Magnum Tower, Bank Road, 2nd Cross Road, Lokhandwala, Andheri West). The accused broke into the complainant’s cupboard and stole a safe containing gold, diamond and silver ornaments along with cash altogether valued at approximately ₹1,37,20,000.

Based on the complaint, Oshiwara Police registered an FIR  on December 30, 2025, under sections 331(4) and 305(A) of BNS. Following the registration of the case, the Senior Police Inspector, Crime Detection Officer and the police team visited the crime scene and conducted a detailed inspection.

Even without knowing the suspect’s residence, officers skillfully gathered intelligence. Sub-Inspector Vikas Kadam and his team laid a trap in the locality where the accused was suspected to be hiding and kept watch for two days. The suspect finally appeared, and on January 3, 2026, the team detained him for interrogation.

During questioning, the accused confessed that he had kept the stolen valuables at his residence and some with a jeweller. Acting promptly, the police recovered stolen diamond, gold and silver ornaments valued at ₹1,26,10,450.

Further investigation revealed that the arrested accused has a criminal history with 14 previous cases registered against him. Police officials also stated that more cases from Oshiwara Police Station and other police jurisdictions are likely to be detected during further interrogation.

Continue Reading

Trending