National News
‘What is the exact stand’, SC to Centre on pleas against Places of Worship Act
The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Centre to bring on record its exact stand on petitions challenging the validity of certain provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act 1991, and how much time will it take to file a response in the matter.
A bench headed by Chief Justice U.U. Lalit and comprising Justices S. Ravindra Bhat and Ajay Rastogi asked the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, “What is the exact stand of the central government…, how much time, and when are you going to file (its response in the matter…”
Senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, representing one of the petitioners, submitted that the law was passed without debate and the matter involved questions of national importance. Referring to the 11 questions framed by him, Dwivedi said questions of law involve interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution and may be considered by the court in the present case.
Advocate Vrinda Grover, representing Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind, contended that Centre’s response is important to take this matter forward. Mehta submitted that the reply was still under consideration and sought two weeks’ time. The bench noted that the Centre’s response was relevant when the validity of a legislation was challenged.
Referring to the questions framed, a counsel for one of the petitioners submitted that questions were not considered by the Supreme Court in the Ayodhya judgment which upheld the Places of Worship Act.
The bench asked Mehta about his personal view regarding the impact of the Ayodhya judgment on the challenge to the 1991 Act. The bench asked Mehta, “Was the legislation covered in the Ayodhya judgment?” Mehta said it may not be covered and sought time to file the response in the matter.
After hearing arguments, the bench directed the Centre to file an affidavit on or before October 31. It listed the matter for further hearing on November 14.
On March 12, 2021, a bench headed by then Chief Justice S.A. Bobde had sought the Centre’s response on the plea filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay challenging the validity of certain provisions of the law.
Upadhyay’s plea said, “The 1991 Act was enacted in the garb of ‘Public order’, which is a State subject (Schedule-7, List-II, Entry-1) and ‘places of pilgrimages within India’ is also State subject (Schedule-7, List-II, Entry-7). So, the Centre can’t enact the Law. Moreover, Article 13(2) prohibits the State to make law to take away fundamental rights but the 1991 Act takes away the rights of Hindus, Jains, Buddhist, Sikhs to restore their ‘places of worship and pilgrimages’, destroyed by barbaric invaders”.
It further added, “The Act excludes the birthplace of Lord Rama, but includes the birthplace of Lord Krishna, though both are incarnations of Lord Vishnu, the creator and equally worshiped throughout the word, hence it is arbitrary.”
Crime
Thane Shocker: Young Woman’s Body Found Stuffed Inside Suitcase Under Desai Khadi Bridge On Kalyan–Shil Road; Police Launch Murder Probe

Kalyan, Nov 24: A shocking incident has come to light after the body of a young woman was discovered inside a suitcase under the Desai Khadi bridge on the Kalyan–Shil Road on Monday. The gruesome finding has triggered panic and concern throughout the area, as it clearly indicates a cold-blooded murder.
According to police sources, the age of the deceased woman is estimated to be between 25 and 30 years. The body was packed inside a medium-sized suitcase and dumped beneath the bridge, suggesting that the killers deliberately chose a secluded spot to dispose of the evidence.
Prima facie, officers believe the woman was murdered before being stuffed into the suitcase and abandoned. However, the exact cause of death will be known only after the post-mortem examination.
The identity of the victim remains unknown at this stage. The police have begun checking missing women complaints from Kalyan, Dombivli, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Mumbai and surrounding regions.
Forensic experts have been called to examine the suitcase and surrounding area for fingerprints, blood traces, or any other clues that may help identify the perpetrators.
CCTV footage from nearby locations, toll plazas, and road junctions along the Kalyan–Shil corridor is also being collected and analyzed to trace the vehicle or individuals who might have transported the suitcase.
The Dyghar Police have officially launched a murder investigation and formed a special team to trace the identity of the woman and hunt down those responsible. Police have appealed to the public to contact them immediately if they have information about a missing woman matching the victim’s description.
The brutal killing has sent a wave of shock across the city, raising serious concerns about safety. Police say they are treating the case with utmost urgency and are confident of making a breakthrough soon.
Crime
J&K: ED attaches property valued at Rs 1 crore in money laundering case

Jammu, Nov 24: The Jammu Sub-Zonal Office of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Jammu and Kashmir said on Monday that the agency has attached immovable property worth Rs 1 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
A press statement by the ED said, “The Jammu Sub-Zonal Office of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached immovable property worth nearly Rs 1 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
“The provisionally attached property comprises industrial land at Panipat, Haryana, of M/s Vidit Healthcare Private Ltd., Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh, the ED initiated investigation in respect of case registered by the Jammu NCB against M/s Vidit Healthcare (Managing Partner, Neeraj Bhatia) Niket Kansal and others for illegal diversion of a codeine-based cough syrup (CBCS), “Cocrex”, for misuse as intoxicant/drug, from manufacturer, M/s Vidit Healthcare,” the statement added.
“ED investigation revealed that M/s Vidit Healthcare supplied CBCS to entities viz. M/s S.S. Industries, M/s Kansal Industries, M/s Nouveta Pharma, M/s Kansal Pharmaceuticals and N.K Pharmaceuticals (all operated and controlled by Niket Kansal r/o Delhi) during 2018-24, to the tune of about Rs 16.74 crore. Part of such illegally diverted CBCS was supplied to Raees Ahmed Bhat, a resident of Srinagar, from whom large quantities of CBCS was seized on January 14, 2024 by NCB.”
“ED investigation further revealed that M/s Vidit Healthcare earned gross profit estimated to be nearly Rs 2.92 crore as proceeds of crime from the sale of codeine-based cough syrup (CBCS) to entities operated by Niket Kansal viz. M/s S.S. Industries, M/s Kansal Industries, M/s Nouveta Pharma, M/s Kansal Pharmaceuticals and N.K Pharmaceuticals. Earlier in this case, ED has conducted search at the premises of Neeraj Bhatia and Niket Kansal on February 13, 2025, resulting in seizure of cash amounting to Rs 32 lakh and jewellery valued at Rs 1.61 crore from the residential premises of Neeraj Bhatia and in furtherance of investigations, ED has further attached immovable property in the form of land at Panipat of M/s Vidit Healthcare, worth nearly Rs one crore.”
“Further investigation is underway,” the statement said.
Mumbai Press Exclusive News
Abu Asim Azmi demands action against culprits in Kalyan prayer controversy

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi condemned the hooliganism of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal at Kalyan Ideal Pharmacy College and said that in this country, there is a market of division and hatred in the name of Hindus and Muslims. Offering prayers in the country is not a crime. It is obligatory for Muslims to offer prayers at the prescribed time. Therefore, if someone offers prayers, worships and practices, then why object to it? He said that arrangements for prayer rooms are necessary in institutions where students want to worship. The way in which students were forced to apologize is completely wrong and hooliganism. I demand that Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the administrative body take strict action against such sectarians so that no one can enter an educational institution and force students to apologize. He said that Shivaji Maharaj, in front of whose statue students were forced to apologize, was a secular king. There were Muslims in his army. The way in which the miscreants have committed hooliganism is worrying. Action must be taken against it. He said that praying is not a crime in the country. The administration of Ideal Pharmacy College in Kalyan’s Ambernath was responsible for protecting Muslim students, but the administration did not do so. It was negligent in its responsibility.
The students who offered prayers were forced to apologize. Azmi said, “I request Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to order the provision of rooms for prayers in educational and other institutions and take strict action against this politics of hatred. Only then will brotherhood flourish in Maharashtra and the country.” He said, “Why is there a controversy over prayers everywhere and then hatred is created by giving it a Hindu-Muslim color? Now the water has risen above the head. The government should pay attention to this.”
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