Mumbai, September 10, 2025 (By Kamar Ansari) The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Farooq Shaukat Bagwan, one of the accused in the 2012 Pune serial bombings, after he spent more than 12 years in judicial custody without the trial reaching a conclusion.

A division bench of Justices A. S. Gadkari and Rajesh S. Patil observed that Bagwan’s continued incarceration amounted to a violation of his fundamental right to a speedy trial. The court also noted that a co-accused, Munib Iqbal Memon, had already been granted bail last year on similar grounds, making Bagwan eligible for the same relief on the principle of parity.

Bagwan, now 39, was arrested in December 2012 and charged under multiple laws, including the Indian Penal Code, the Explosives Act, the Arms Act, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.

The Pune blasts, which occurred on August 1, 2012, targeted locations such as Deccan Gymkhana and Bal Gandharv Rang Mandir. Five low-intensity explosions took place between 7:25 pm and 11:30 pm, injuring one person. A sixth explosive device, planted in a bicycle near Jangli Maharaj Road, was later defused.

According to the prosecution, Bagwan allegedly provided forged documents for obtaining SIM cards and allowed his shop to be used in preparations for the blasts. However, his defense, led by Advocate Mubin Solkar, argued that the trial had progressed at an unacceptably slow pace. He pointed out that only 27 out of nearly 170 prosecution witnesses had been examined in more than a decade, making prolonged custody unjustifiable.

The bench underscored that the right to a speedy trial under Article 21 of the Constitution cannot be denied. Noting that the trial was unlikely to conclude soon, the court ordered Bagwan’s release on bail upon furnishing a surety bond of ₹1 lakh.

The State opposed the plea, citing confessional statements and evidence linking Bagwan to the conspiracy. Despite this, the judges ruled that prolonged pre-trial detention and judicial parity with the co-accused strongly justified granting bail.

Mumbai: On the occasion of Eid Miladunnabi, a procession of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was taken out with great pomp from Khilafat House, and the streets of Mumbai echoed with the slogan of Takbir-Allahu Akbar. The procession was led by Tausif Raza, along with Food and Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal. Earlier, while addressing the Seerat-e-Pak gathering at Khilafat House, the Prophet (peace be upon him) preached brotherhood and Hindu-Muslim unity, saying that Muslims took out the procession of Eid Miladunnabi on September 8 instead of September 5 because Muslims are in minority and they are younger brothers.

Therefore, it is also the duty of the majority to take care of their brothers. Unless Hindus and Muslims unite, this country cannot progress and this is the beauty of this country that Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb is still prevalent here. Describing the teachings of Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him), Maulana Tauseef Raza said that Islam is not just 450 years or 1500 years old, but is very ancient and the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is not 1500 years old. However, it can be said that it has been 1500 years since the migration of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). He further said that His Holiness has a belief, that is why he says, “Do the work that pleases you. It is good. May the name of Reza please you. Millions of blessings be upon you.” Wise, intellectual and politically savvy people of the world say that Islam has been there for 1400 years. The celebration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) cannot be 1400 years old. This migration of the Prophet (peace be upon him) may be 1500 years old this year. Muslims have not existed for 1500 years. The foundation of Islam was laid when Allah produced the light of Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him) from His light. Allah Almighty kept the light of Muhammad with Himself. The birth of Eid Miladunnabi (peace be upon him) was not celebrated by His Holiness, but it is a divine Sunnah. The foundation of Miladunnabi (peace be upon him) is linked to Bareilly Sharif. When the rebellious sect was conspiring to erase Miladunnabi (PBUH), His Majesty presented arguments regarding Miladunnabi (PBUH). Today the 107th procession of Eid Miladunnabi has been taken out from Khilafat House. Muslims are a minority in this country and so the majority should take care of them and treat them with kindness, honesty and generosity. They should also treat Muslims and their festivals well. Only then will this country progress. This will establish brotherhood and communal harmony and love will flourish.

Addressing the gathering, Minister of State for Food and Supplies Chhagan Bhujbal said that Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him) taught humanity, peace, security and love, unity and equality. In Islam, the Prophet of Islam gave importance to service to the people and also taught to take care of others. This is why peace is emphasized the most in Islam. After this, Chhagan Bhujbal mentioned the freedom struggle and Khilafat Movement of Maulana Muhammad Ali and Shaukat Ali and said that Maulana Ali brothers had blown the trumpet of independence from this Khilafat House and Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were also with them from here. In this gathering, Khilafat House Committee Chairman Sarfaraz Arzoo highlighted the purpose and goal of the Khilafat Committee and Eid Miladunnabi (peace be upon him) procession. Addressing the gathering, former minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik, while highlighting the life of Prophet Muhammad Saheb, said that Prophet Muhammad Saheb taught the world the lesson of peace and security by eliminating discrimination and inequality, hence Islam is a religion of peace and its followers are also peace loving. Political and social leaders and scholars including former MLA Waris Pathan, MLA Amin Patel participated in the gathering, while Maulana Mahmood Sir conducted it.

Mumbai Press News Network | Mumbai

The CAW & CPC Unit of the MBVV Crime Branch has busted a high-profile sex racket operating near Thakur Mall, Mira Road, along the Kashimira Highway. The operation was led by Police Inspector Sourabhi Pawar and her team, resulting in a major breakthrough against organized prostitution.

During the raid, police caught actress Anushka Moni Mohandas, popularly known as Moon Das, red-handed for her involvement in supplying women for prostitution. Moon Das has worked in several films, advertisements, and live shows alongside noted singers including Honey Singh, Mika Singh, and Udit Narayan. She had also played the lead role in the Bengali movie Loafer.

In the operation, two women were rescued:

1. A well-known actress from the Bengali, Tamil, and Telugu film industries
2. A serial and TV industry artist

According to officials, the women were being supplied to clients across Maharashtra and other parts of the country for amounts running into several lakhs.

A case has been registered under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA). Investigations are underway to trace the wider network and other individuals involved in the racket.

While Bollywood and regional cinema continue to showcase emerging talent, such incidents involving a few individuals cast a dark shadow over the entertainment industry.