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Maharashtra

Mumbai’s Photographer Dilish Parekh with world’s largest camera collection dies

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Mumbai: Photographer Dilish Parekh, holding two world records for owning the largest collection of antique cameras and also the biggest collection of photographic instruments, passed away in Mumbai late on Wednesday.

He was 69 and breathed his last at his south Mumbai residence. Parekh, who also was a freelance lensman, is survived by his wife Binita, sons Jay and Harsh and other relatives.

A freelance photographer in his early career, Parekh had made it to the Guinness World Records (2003) for his collection of 2,634 antique cameras and again shattered his own record with a GWR certificate acknowledging him as owning 4,425 cameras (2013).

He had started his hobby in 1977, after which he had painstakingly collected cameras of different shapes and sizes, from different manufacturers all over the world.

Parekh’s awesome collection comprised Leicas, Rolliflexes, Zeiss, Linofs, Canons, Nikons, Kodaks, including the most valuable piece — a 1934-made Leica 250, a rare one as around 1,000 were manufactured by the German company.

Another notable one was a German-made Bessa II, produced in 1962, the Tessina L, said to be the world’s tiniest and lightest 35mm camera, weighing just 155 gms, a twin-lens reflex camera from 1959 produced by Concava, Switzerland.

Parekh was attracted to the photography instruments after his father bequeathed his collection of 600 cameras, and he launched his own collection from there, building it up to nearly 4,500, sourcing them from all over the planet, including Mumbai’s infamous flea market, the Chor Bazar.

Other interesting items in his collection were a leather-bound Royal Mail Postage Stamp Camera of 1907, which could click 15 stamp size pictures at a time.

Though collectors world over were interested in buying out his full or partial collection at fabulous prices, Parekh fiercely guarded it and never sold the cameras.

Maharashtra

Mumbai Advocate Challenges Proposed Ban On Bakri Eid Qurbani In Housing Societies, Warns Of High Court Move

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Mumbai, May 26: A legal representation has been filed before the Mayor of Mumbai, objecting to a proposed blanket ban on Bakri Eid Qurbani within housing societies, chawls and residential complexes across the city.

The legal notice, issued by advocate Faiyaz Alam Shaikh, challenges a civic communication dated 24 May 2026, arguing that a sweeping, indiscriminate prohibition on a recognised religious practice stands as arbitrary, disproportionate and legally vulnerable under Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution of India, which guarantee equality, the right to life and freedom of religion.

According to the notice, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) already possesses a robust, regulated framework for managing Bakri Eid permissions. This existing structure operates via designated locations, ward-level supervision and online permission channels, including the MyBMC portal.

Historically, regulated Qurbani arrangements have been permitted within approved premises and specific common areas of housing societies, provided they comply with sanitation norms, municipal licensing and No Objection Certificates (NOCs).

Shaikh contended that replacing an established, structured permission mechanism with a total ban—without any proportionality analysis or public consultation—violates basic constitutional tenets of fairness and non-discrimination.

The notice highlights that the Bombay High Court has consistently favoured strict regulation, hygiene and supervision over outright, indiscriminate bans.

Furthermore, the legal notice draws attention to the “Mumbai Qurbani Permission White Paper” submitted by Adv. Shaikh on 21 May 2026. The paper outlines comprehensive policy proposals, including uniform year-round regulatory guidelines, single-window permissions, strict veterinary and sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and a transparent grievance redressal mechanism.

The representation has urged the civic administration to reconsider the restriction and instead engage in consultation regarding the White Paper. Served as a preventive legal objection, the notice said that if no corrective action is taken, appropriate legal proceedings will be initiated before the Bombay High Court to quash the proposed ban.

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Maharashtra

‘Bakre Ka Jawab Suvar Se Dena Hoga’: BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay Sparks Political Row Amid Mira Road Tension Ahead Of Bakra Eid

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A fresh political controversy erupted in Mira Road after BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay made strong remarks while commenting on the ongoing dispute surrounding goats being brought into housing societies ahead of Bakra Eid.

The statement comes amid heightened communal tension in the locality, where clashes broke out earlier today over a temporary shed built for housing goats meant for Qurbani at Poonam Cluster Society.

Speaking to the media, Sanjay Upadhyay said the issue was not limited to Mira Road alone. Referring to another incident in Borivali, he claimed that a single family in Sumer Nagar society had brought six goats into the premises despite opposition from other residents.

The BJP MLA stated that the Maharashtra government has already issued clear guidelines prohibiting animal slaughter in housing societies and open public spaces. He added that all concerned departments had been informed about the rules.

Questioning those allegedly violating the guidelines, Upadhyay remarked that if goats could be brought into societies despite objections, then there should not be resistance if pigs were brought to such locations. He further said that if conflicts arise, “eet ka badla patthar se,”bakra la jawab suvar se” (brick should be answered with a stone, the goat will have to be answered with a pig).

The controversy began after municipal authorities demolished a temporary goat shed erected inside Poonam Cluster Society following complaints from Hindu residents and local organisations.

Later, tensions escalated when activists allegedly associated with Sakal Hindu Samaj and Bajrang Dal brought a pig near the Bakra Mandi protest site. Viral videos from the area showed protesters questioning why goats were being allowed into housing societies while objections were being raised against their protest.

The move led to heated arguments between members of two communities, prompting police intervention. Scuffles were reported from several spots, following which police carried out a lathi charge to disperse the crowd.

A heavy police presence remains in Mira Road as authorities continue monitoring the situation. Officials have appealed to residents to maintain peace and avoid circulating provocative messages or videos on social media.

Police are also examining footage from the incident and are expected to take action based on the findings of the investigation.

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Maharashtra

Large-scale MD drugs racket busted in Agripara high-profile residence, accused investigated, alleged Bangladeshi also suspected, MD worth Rs 51 crore seized

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Mumbai: The Kandivali ANC unit led by Mumbai Anti-Narcotics Cell Shashi Kant Jagdale has busted a major drug manufacturing racket. The accused were allegedly manufacturing MD drugs in a room of a high-profile residential building in Agripara. During the operation, the police seized 14 kg of MD and liquid MD worth around Rs 51 crore. The police have also recovered a pistol and 19 live cartridges from the accused. A total of three people have been arrested in this case, and further investigation is underway. One of these accused belongs to West Bengal. These accused used to make MD in Mumbai city. A pistol has also been recovered from one of the accused. Investigation is also underway to find out where he got this pistol from. Along with this, his documents are also being checked and it is also being ascertained whether this alleged Bangladeshi is not. DCP Nunath Dhole of Mumbai Anti-Narcotics Cell said that the police is investigating this matter from every angle, while the police has got a big success in which MD and liquid MD worth Rs 51 crore have been recovered. Investigation is also underway to find out how many people are involved in this network. The police is further investigating. This operation has been carried out by DCP Nunath Dhole of ANC on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti. The arrested accused have been identified as Muhammad Shoaib Shaukat Ali Mansoori, 31, of Yasmin Tower, Sufyan Saleem Mansoori, 28, and Reena Akhtar, daughter of Ashraf Al-Sikdar, 22.

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