The Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to re-upload the public awareness video of actor Dia Mirza that urged citizens not to burst firecrackers on public roads during Diwali.

She had uploaded the video on the court’s earlier directions aimed at curbing pollution.

A division bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Dr Neela Gokhale expressed strong displeasure over remarks made by certain political leaders against the actor for participating in the awareness campaign.

The court also reiterated that India is a secular country and emphasised the importance of following judicial directions issued in the public interest.

The BMC had enlisted Dia Mirza as part of its Diwali awareness drive to sensitise citizens about air pollution and compliance with court-imposed restrictions on bursting firecrackers in public spaces. However, the civic body removed the video from its social media platforms after objections were raised by BJP leaders, including Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam and BMC Mayor Ritu Tawde.

Tawde had criticised Mirza’s appeal, alleging that her opposition was consistently directed against Hindutva and those associated with it. She argued that Hindus did not require lessons on how to celebrate Diwali and accused the actor of pursuing a selective agenda.

Responding to the controversy, Dia Mirza defended the video, saying it was recorded on the directions of the Bombay High Court and was intended to promote public awareness about air pollution.

“Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair. The video was recorded in the interest of public awareness, with the intention of encouraging a healthier and more mindful celebration. Air pollution is a matter of public health, and every effort towards reducing it is a step towards a better environment for all,” Mirza told media on Monday.

The BMC’s Diwali campaign featured several public figures, including actor Madhuri Dixit and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, advocating environmentally responsible celebrations. However, objections were raised to Mirza’s participation, with critics questioning the involvement of celebrities in advising the public on festival practices.

Actor Asif Khan urged people to prioritise their health and not take their well-being for granted, following his own heart attack incident.

In an exclusive conversation with media, the actor opened up the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and advised people to pay attention to their sleeping cycles and eating habits.

When asked what precautions he would recommend to his fans, particularly those who tend to neglect their health, Asif said, “First of all, I would tell everyone to stop overthinking. Improve your sleeping cycle and eating habits. There is no rocket science involved in maintaining good health, but we often take the basics for granted.

He added, “We tend to ignore small things that can make a big difference. For instance, many people wake up in the morning and immediately consume tea or coffee on an empty stomach, which is not advisable. We make small mistakes in our daily routines and do not realise their consequences until much later. So, it is important to take care of these basic habits.”

The actor’s remarks come amid the controversy surrounding his heart condition during his stint on ‘Bigg Boss 20’.

Asif had an argument with fellow contestant Qazi Touqeer after the latter allegedly mocked his heart condition, prompting the actor to clarify that his health concerns were genuine.

The incident also brought attention to the actor’s medical history. His wife took to social media to share a detailed account of his health emergency last year. She also shared photographs from the hospital and medical documents to prove her claims that Asif had suffered a heart attack at the age of 34.

In her statement, she revealed that the actor had suffered a massive heart attack, with his main coronary artery completely blocked. He then underwent a stent procedure and remained hospitalised for 21 days.

His wife also explained that Asif had initially spoken about his condition as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) because he feared that disclosing a serious heart condition could affect his professional opportunities and cost him projects.

Actress Nora Fatehi’s legal team has clarified that she is not an accused in the case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar and was summoned by the court only in the capacity of a witness.

The statement follows the November 2 hearing of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) case at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, where Nora was summoned to appear as a witness and assist in the proceedings.

The case involving Sukesh Chandrashekhar was taken up at the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on November 2, where Nora had been summoned to appear as a witness. However, her lawyers informed the court that she could not attend due to prior professional commitments and the short notice of the summons. An exemption application was subsequently filed, following which the court adjourned the matter to November 6, and issued a fresh summons for her appearance.

Her legal team also clarified that Nora is neither an accused nor facing allegations of wrongdoing in the case. She has been called only as a witness to assist the court in the proceedings.

In a statement to media, her legal team said, “The EOW matter concerning Sukesh Chandra Shekhar was listed today before the Rouse Avenue Court, Delhi, where Nora Fatehi was summoned as a witness. Her advocates appeared before the Court and submitted that she had received the summons at a very short notice and was unable to attend due to prior professional commitments.”

It further read, An application seeking exemption from personal appearance was filed, following which the matter was adjourned to 6 November 2026, with fresh summons issued for her appearance. It is clarified that Nora Fatehi is neither an accused nor alleged to have committed any offence in these proceedings. She has been summoned solely as a witness to assist the Court.”

For the unversed, the case revolves around allegations that Sukesh Chandrashekhar orchestrated an extortion racket worth nearly Rs 200 crore while being lodged in Delhi’s Rohini Jail. He allegedly posed as senior government officials to carry out the fraud.

The Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) probed the matter and subsequently filed a chargesheet under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

Nora had earlier been questioned by the EOW over her alleged links with Chandrashekhar and his wife, Leena Maria Paulose. Her statement was also recorded before a magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC. She was later included as a prosecution witness in the supplementary chargesheet.