Mumbai – The report of a committee—formed to review the ‘7/12’ land record entries for ‘Waqf’ properties (valued at hundreds of billions of rupees) and to formulate a policy for the distribution of land acquisition compensation—has remained pending for over three years. Rais Shaikh, a Samajwadi Party Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Bhiwandi East, has expressed concern that the Minority Development Department and the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have failed to address the issues faced by the Muslim community with the necessary seriousness. In a letter addressed to the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Minority Development, Supriya Pawar, MLA Rais Shaikh has demanded immediate action on this matter.

There are 23,566 registered ‘Waqf’ properties in the state, spanning an area of ​​approximately 92,247 acres. These properties are subject to large-scale encroachment, and many private individuals claim ownership over them. On September 21, 2023, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of the then-Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar. The meeting addressed several key issues: reviewing the ‘7/12’ land record entries, formulating a policy for the distribution of land acquisition compensation, removing the names of private individuals from these records, and ensuring that the names of ‘Waqf’ institutions and the ‘Waqf Board’ are officially recorded.

Following this meeting, the Minority Development Department constituted a four-member committee on October 17, 2023, with instructions to submit its report within one month. However, the report has not been submitted, even long after the stipulated deadline has passed. MLA Rais Shaikh has raised the question: if reports are not submitted within the timeframe set by the government, then what is the purpose of forming committees and issuing administrative orders?

This delay in the report concerning ‘Waqf’ properties cannot be dismissed as mere administrative lethargy. MLA Rais Shaikh has demanded that the relevant department clarify the reasons for this delay and fix responsibility in the matter. Progress on issues related to ‘Waqf’ properties—which were brought to the fore through the initiative of the then-Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar—should have continued even after he left his post. Yet, many issues faced by the Muslim community remain unresolved. In light of this, MLA Rais Shaikh has questioned, via a letter, whether the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the state government are according appropriate priority to the concerns of the Muslim community.

Matters such as the registration of ‘Waqf’ properties and the payment of compensation for land acquisition directly affect the property rights and financial interests of the concerned institutions. It is imperative to resolve the uncertainty surrounding these issues and reach a definitive conclusion. Rather than relying on mere verbal assurances, concrete decisions must be taken and effectively implemented.

The Mumbai Police on Tuesday invoked stringent sections of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against all the accused arrested in connection with the firing incident involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff.

An official statement said that provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), 1999 have been invoked in DCB CID CR No. 143/26, registered on 19/10/26 u/Ss 109(1), 3(5) of BNS r/w sections 3, 25 of Arms Act; with permission of the competent authority under Section 23(1)(a) of the said Act dated 27/10/26.

Accordingly, Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2) and 3(4) of MCOCA have been added to the case against all accused.

A case against the accused was registered by the Mumbai Police on October 19 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.

Subsequently, the approval to invoke the MCOCA was granted on October 27. Police said that the investigation in the case has been expedited considering the organised crime background linked to it.

Further investigation into the case is currently underway.

Earlier, the Mumbai Crime Branch established the alleged motive behind the firing incident involving Tiger Shroff, stating that the attack was carried out with the objectives of extorting money, establishing the gang’s dominance and creating fear among the public.

According to the Crime Branch’s investigation, the accused allegedly involved in the firing incident have links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

The police have alleged that the gang targeted Tiger Shroff as part of an attempt to strengthen its influence, intimidate people and secure financial gains through extortion.

The Mumbai Crime Branch has stated that the accused were allegedly operating as active members of an organised crime syndicate.

Investigators believe that the attack was not an isolated act but part of a planned criminal conspiracy intended to achieve financial benefits, assert the gang’s dominance and spread terror within society.

The accused carried out the attack using illegal and lethal weapons as part of a pre-planned conspiracy targeting the star.

The investigation has also revealed that the alleged conspiracy was coordinated through an inter-state network involving several locations, including Delhi and Mumbai.

Bollywood actor Imran Khan secured interim relief from the Bombay High Court on Tuesday as the court stayed the implementation of a ‘Leave India’ notice issued against him by the Centre.

A division bench of the High Court, hearing Khan’s petition challenging the notice, directed that no coercive action be taken against him until the next hearing.

The court also stayed the operation of the impugned notice, which had required the actor to leave India by October 28.

During the hearing, the Additional Solicitor General (ASG), appearing for the Centre, sought time and requested that the matter be adjourned until next week.

The ASG also gave a verbal assurance to the court that no punitive action would be initiated against Khan in the meantime.

Taking note of the submissions, the court scheduled the next hearing for November 2 at 3 p.m. and granted interim protection to the actor by keeping the notice in abeyance until then.

The controversy stems from a notice issued to Khan following his participation in a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Authorities alleged that Khan violated provisions of the Foreigners Act by taking part in a political demonstration despite not being an Indian citizen.

Khan, however, challenged the action before the High Court, arguing that the order was arbitrary and violated principles of natural justice. In his petition, he contended that he was given only 14 days to leave the country without any prior inquiry, show-cause notice, or opportunity to present his case.

The petition further stated that the protest was held at a location that was not designated as a restricted area and that Khan had not breached any barricades or violated any law during the demonstration.

According to his plea, he was in the process of leaving the venue when he was suddenly surrounded by members of the media and subsequently detained.

The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), in its order, accused Khan of violating the Foreigners Act by participating in the protest despite holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status rather than Indian citizenship.