SC upholds Bombay HC view that Dua for poll victory is not religious appeal
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 25 (IANS) The Supreme Court has upheld the Bombay High Court's view that offering 'Dua' (prayer) for electoral success does not, by itself, amount to undue influence or soliciting votes in the name of religion, while dismissing an appeal challenging the election of AIMIM's Mufti Mohammad Ismail Abdul Khalique from Maharashtra's Malegaon Central Assembly constituency. A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Augustine George Masih and Sandeep Mehta dismissed the appeal filed by Samajwadi Party candidate Shaan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed against the Bombay High Court's judgment upholding Mufti Ismail's election. The controversy before the High Court centred, among other allegations, on instances where Mufti Ismail allegedly offered 'Dua' for his electoral success during prayers and campaign meetings. The election petitioner had alleged that when people attending such gatherings responded with Amen to the prayers, it amounted to a collective pledge to vote for Mufti Ismail. The Bombay High Court rejected the contention, holding that saying Amen in response to a prayer could not be equated with making a formal pledge to vote. By saying Amen, the person can be said to have agreed with or seconded the prayer for the electoral success of the Respondent No.1 (Mufti Ismail). However, saying Amen is materially distinct from making the pledge, which is in the nature of a formal promise or undertaking, it had held. It further held that a prayer for electoral success did not amount to soliciting votes on the ground of the candidate's religion or prejudicing the prospects of a rival candidate on that basis. As the Dua is essentially a form of communication by the believer with God, saying prayer for success in the election neither amounts to exercise of undue influence nor soliciting votes in the name of the religion, a single-judge Bench of Justice N. J. Jamadar had observed. The High Court was dealing with an election petition challenging Mufti Ismail's victory in the November 2024 Maharashtra Assembly polls from Malegaon Central. The election petition alleged that the returned candidate and his campaigners had committed various corrupt practices under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, including allegedly appealing to voters on religious grounds. Applying the legal test under Section 123(3) of the Representation of the People Act, the High Court concluded that mere reference to religion or religious organisations, without an appeal to vote for a candidate on the ground of religion, would not by itself constitute a corrupt practice. The election petition was consequently rejected at the threshold, with the High Court holding that it failed to make out a complete cause of action warranting a trial. With the Supreme Court dismissing Nihal Ahmed's appeal, the Bombay High Court's findings, including its view on the 'Dua' offered for electoral success, stand affirmed.
Arbaaz Khan Unveils The Global Valley, The Amazic Group's First Global-Themed Villa Plots Community
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 25: Mr. Arbaaz Khan was present at the launch of The Global Valley, a premium villa plots concept unveiled by the Amazic Group this week, marking the developer's entry into the fast growing Mumbai 3.0 corridor.
Bihar Congress, RJD protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over SIR issues; police use water canons
Digital Desk | Patna, Sep 25 (IANS) The Bihar Congress staged a protest march in Patna on Friday against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and over issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. The RJD also staged a demonstration in Patna over the issue. Police used water cannons to stop the protesters as they attempted to proceed towards the State Election Commission office. The protest march was organised from R-Block to the State Election Commission office. A large number of Congress leaders and workers participated in the demonstration, raising slogans against the Election Commission and demanding the resignation of the CEC. Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee president Rajesh Ram said the protest was linked to the questions being raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding the electoral process and voter lists. The protest against the Election Commission stems from the fact that Rahul Gandhi was consistently exposing them... today it has been proven that governments in Bihar, Haryana, and Maharashtra were formed through vote theft. The Election Commission has not yet responded to Rahul Gandhi, Ram said. These allegations reflect the Congress party's political position and have not been established as facts by the Election Commission or a court. Tension was reported during the demonstration as Congress workers and police personnel came face-to-face. Some protesters climbed the barricades while carrying an effigy of the CEC, leading to a commotion at the site. Police subsequently used water cannons to disperse the protesters. Congress workers and leaders also demanded the removal and arrest of CEC Gyanesh Kumar during the demonstration. Purnea MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav also criticised the Election Commission amid the nationwide Congress protests. They have committed an injustice against 13 crore people in Bengal, Bihar, and Assam. How can they simply be allowed to get away with it? Yadav said. The RJD, a key constituent of the Mahagathbandhan, also staged a demonstration in Patna over the issue. RJD leaders and workers took to the streets and raised questions over the functioning of the Election Commission, particularly in connection with the revision of electoral rolls and the electoral process. The protests in Bihar are part of a broader political campaign by Opposition parties questioning the Election Commission's handling of voter lists and the Special Intensive Revision. The protests come amid a recent report by a national English daily newspaper alleging that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally recorded objections at least 14 times over a period of 10 months regarding decisions and procedures of the poll panel. The reported objections covered issues including voter registration and deletion, restoration of names, changes to Form 6, new voters and the management of electoral-roll data. The report said some of the objections concerned decisions that the two commissioners stated had been taken without their knowledge or approval. The objections reportedly included concerns about the centralisation of electoral-roll database controls and aspects of the SIR process. The Election Commission has rejected the suggestion that the reported objections demonstrate a lack of consensus within the three-member poll panel. According to the Commission, all decisions taken by it, including those related to the SIR, had the approval of all three Election Commissioners and were reached unanimously. The Commission said that highlighting individual internal notes without considering the broader body of decisions and approvals presents only one part of its decision-making process. The controversy over the functioning of the Election Commission and the revision of electoral rolls continues, with Opposition parties demanding greater accountability while the poll panel maintains that its decisions have been taken in accordance with its established procedures.
FSSAI proposes to prohibit manufacturing, sale of analogue paneer across country
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS) Indias food regulator has proposed to prohibit manufacturing and sale of analogue paneer across the country, notifying draft amendments for consultations. According to the FSSAI draft, the amendment is proposed in the following regulation to restrict manufacturing and sale of analogue product as paneer so as to prevent misleading consumers regarding the nature and composition of the product. Products already licensed or registered under 'Analogue in Dairy Context' category shall discontinue the use of the term Paneer in their nomenclature, labelling or marketing. It added. Several state governments have banned the sale and manufacturing of analogue paneer. FSSAI has decided to introduce draft amendments in the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) regulations. The draft regulations shall be taken into consideration after the expiry of a period of sixty days from the date on which copies of the Official Gazette in which this notification is published are made available to the public. The food regulator has taken regulatory action against several food businesses after inspections found food safety violations and non-compliance. The regulator suspended licences and issued prohibition orders relating to non-compliant ghee products and adulteration concerns. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration recently banned the production, distribution and sale of artificial 'analogue' paneer for one year, citing public health concerns. The action followed laboratory findings in which more than 35 per cent of recent paneer samples tested in the state failed quality tests due to vegetable-fat adulteration. The Gujarat government also announced a statewide ban on the manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of non-standard analogue paneer, cheese, and butter, citing concerns over consumer deception, food safety, and the protection of the state's dairy sector. Products made from vegetable oil and other non-dairy ingredients were being presented as paneer, misleading consumers, harming genuine dairy producers and raising serious food safety concerns.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 25: Eleven young, highly educated devotees from different corners of the world will take Atmarpit Diksha, a lifelong vow of celibacy and service, in Mumbai this Saturday. The ceremony will be one of the central moments of 'Aho Gurudev', the celebration of the 60th birthday of Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, founder of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur (SRMD).
Rajasthan civic polls: BJP wins Kota and Jaipur, Jodhpur result awaited
BJPs Anusuiya Goswami was elected Kota mayor with 65 votes against Congress candidate Sunita Sumans 35. Sunil Kothari won Jaipur, while voting in Jodhpur was underway. Protests were reported outside Jaipur Municipal Corporation over alleged irregularities during the voting process.
Maharashtra Government Pledges Support for Farmers Amid Ganesh Festival
Maharashtras Transport Minister assures farmers of government support during Ganesh festival amid challenging conditions in the state. Maharashtra Government Pledges Support for Farmers Amid Ganesh Festival
Air India suspends pilot after failed breath analyser test at Zurich airport
Air India has suspended a pilot who failed a breath analyser test at Zurich airport before operating a Delhi-bound flight, with the airline initiating further medical evaluation and an investigation while strengthening compliance measures after recent incidents
Russia-Ukraine war: Drone strike on Kyiv apartment kills 14-year-old boy
A Russian drone struck a 16-storey residential building in central Kyiv, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring at least seven people, Ukrainian officials said. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said attacks also hit several other Ukrainian regions, including Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Mykolaiv
Indian-Origin Swedish MP Irked as Minister Uncle, Cousin Claim Her Glory
Nila Vikhe Patil's uncle is Maharashtra minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil of BJP and the cousin is his son and former Lok Sabha member Sujay Vikhe Patil
Jaipur mayor election: BJPs Sunil Kothari defeats Congress Sunita Mawar
Kothari, a councillor from Ward 112, secured 89 votes, crossing the majority mark of 76 in the 150-member corporation. Mawar received 60 votes. The mayoral election was marked by protests and allegations from Congress during the voting process
Disgusting: Man in SUV with BJP sticker spits paan, throws bottle on Mumbai road; video viral
Ganeshotsav: Maharashtra FDA seizes 6.34 lakh kg of suspected adulterated food
The Food and Drug Administrations statewide food safety drive covered 3,068 establishments across Maharashtra and seized stock worth 9.76 crore between September 1 and 23
Video: CM Fadnavis, wife Amruta bid farewell to Lord Ganesha
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis and his wife Amruta Fadnavis took part in the traditional immersion ceremony and offered prayers to Lord Ganesha before the idol was immersed
L'Oreal Paris to Host Le Defile at The Eiffel tower, Celebrating Sisterhood, Diversity and Inclusion
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 25: L'Oreal Paris will return to Paris Fashion Week with its iconic runway show, Le Defile L'Oreal Paris, on 28th September 2026 at Place Joffre set in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower. Now in its ninth edition, the annual showcase brings together leading global voices from fashion, beauty and entertainment to celebrate women's empowerment, sisterhood, diversity and inclusion.
Breaking out: 97-year-old South Indian Bank wants to outgrow name, go national
The lender, based in Thrissur, Kerala, plans to expand in Maharashtra, Gujarat and the national capital.
Fadnavis warns of action against misuse of Mathadi law, announces APMC revamp
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government would hold consultations with Mathadi leaders to curb illegal practices while maintaining that the Mathadi Workers Act has helped provide dignity to organised labourers
Athens blast: Building collapses in tourist district of Plaka, two injured
A powerful explosion struck Athens historic Plaka district near the Acropolis, collapsing a two-story building and damaging nearby structures. Two women were rescued from an adjacent building and taken to hospital, while authorities investigated the cause
SIR row: Supreme Court plea seeks prosecution of CEC Gyanesh Kumar
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Marathwada water crisis: 500 wells acquired, 246 tankers deployed
The eight-district region has received only 442.4 mm of rainfall against its expected seasonal average of 679.5 mm, according to official data. Marathwada comprises Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Nanded, Beed, Dharashiv, Hingoli and Latur
Ganesh immersion: Five Manache Ganpatis lead grand procession in Pune
Kasba Ganapati, regarded as Punes first Manacha Ganapati, led the procession after setting out on a flower-decorated palanquin. The idols departure marked the beginning of the citys major immersion proceedings, with the remaining four prominent mandals joining the parade along their designated routes
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis immerses Ganesh idol with family
The News Mill
Shiv Sena (UBT) demands immediate drought declaration in Maharashtra
In an editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana said areas in Solapur, Ahilyanagar, Marathwada and Western Vidarbha have gone weeks without rainfall, with some regions reportedly receiving no rain for nearly two months
1.65 lakh household idols to be immersed in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
The idols of 941 Ganesh mandals set up by community groups will also be taken for immersion, officials said. According to an official, idols from the Cantonment area are scheduled to be immersed on Saturday
Fadnavis warns of action against misuse of Mathadi law; announces Navi Mumbai APMC revamp
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said action would be taken against those misusing the Mathadi law after consultations with Mathadi leaders. He also announced redevelopment of Navi Mumbais 50-year-old APMC market and said the government was preparing measures to tackle drinking water and fodder shortages in drought-affected areas.
A Year on, Arz Kiya Hai Continues Its Chart-Topping Run at No. 1 on Spotify India
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Business Wire India
Maharashtra ANM GNM CAP Round 1 Registration 2026 - Apply Online at mahacet.org
Maharashtra ANM GNM 2026 CAP Round 1 registration closes September 26, 2026. Check eligibility, application fee, required documents, and how to apply online at mahacet.org.
Murlidhar Mohol, Neelam Gorhe and Chandrakant Patil join Pune festivities
In Maharashtra, public representatives and devotees participated in traditional immersion processions, with leaders highlighting the cultural and religious significance of the occasion and urging people to celebrate peacefully
54 days & counting: Punes Shivajinagar sees its longest streak without double-digit rain since 2018
Maharashtra FDA seizes 675 kg of food products worth Rs 2.9 lakh in Nanded
The action was conducted under the state-wide Safe Food, Safe Maharashtra campaign, which aims to ensure the availability of safe and quality sweets, khoya, milk and dairy products and other food items during the festive period
Bhakti Park accident: MMRDA to give Rs 26L each, families eligible for additional Rs 15.1L, Rs 17.1L
Four more held in MPSC drug inspector paper leak case; total arrests rise to 11
Four more held in MPSC drug inspector paper leak case; total arrests rise to 11 Mumbai: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested four more accused in connection with the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) Drug Inspector exam question paper leak case, taking the total number of arrests to 11. [] The post Four more held in MPSC drug inspector paper leak case; total arrests rise to 11 appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Godawari Power acquires 31.45-acre land at AURIC Bidkin Industrial, Maharashtra
For setting up CRM project
Madhuri Dixit Celebrates Maharashtras Heritage in Paithani Saree at Kaun Banega Crorepati Premiere
Madhuri Dixit dazzles in a traditional Paithani saree at the premiere of Kaun Banega Crorepati, honoring Maharashtras rich cultural heritage. Madhuri Dixit Celebrates Maharashtras Heritage in Paithani Saree at Kaun Banega Crorepati Premiere
'Make in India' turns 12: PM Modi highlights growth in manufacturing, investment
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 25 marked 12 years of the Make in India initiative, highlighting growth in domestic manufacturing, investment and exports. Government data showed PLI schemes have attracted Rs 2.40 lakh crore in investment and generated over 14.6 lakh direct and indirect jobs
Xi urges US to oppose Taiwan independence, calls for China-US AI cooperation
Xi also called for greater cooperation between China and the US in artificial intelligence, saying the two countries should manage competition while working together on the development and risks associated with the technology
Maharashtra drought: Nanded restricts officials leave, orders relief focus
District Collector Rahul Kardile has directed officials to give the highest priority to drought-related work, including crop assessment, farm loan restructuring and assistance to farmers, according to a circular issued on Thursday
When will you stop harbouring terrorists?: Sharif dodges question at UN
A video circulating on social media showed Sharif arriving at the UN headquarters, where reporters asked him about allegations that Pakistan was harbouring terrorists
Shiv Sena Urges Maharashtra Government to Declare Drought Amidst Crop Failures
Shiv Sena calls for immediate drought declaration in Maharashtra as crops fail due to lack of rain. Shiv Sena Urges Maharashtra Government to Declare Drought Amidst Crop Failures
Cop dies after assault by history-sheeter in Thane
Thane: A police sub-inspector died during an operation after allegedly being assaulted by a history-sheeter in Maharashtras Thane city, officials said Friday, September 25. Deputy Commissioner of Police Prashant Kadam said the incident occurred when a patrolling team led by sub-inspector Kisan K Bhoir reached Wagle Estate to shut a shop operating late into Thursday Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Mamdani accuses Netanyahu of spreading baseless lies after UNGA address
Mamdani has previously described Netanyahu as a war criminal and accused him of being responsible for what he calls genocide against Palestinians. He has also called for Netanyahu to face arrest under the International Criminal Court warrant
AIIMS Nagpur doctors protest assault on colleague, demand end to VIP culture
The Resident Doctors Association (RDA), AIIMS Nagpur, also called for an end to what it described as VIP culture at the institute, claiming that patients and their relatives often seek preferential treatment by producing letters from politicians or attempting to intimidate hospital staff
Maharashtra FDA launches portal to curb adulterated food during festive season
The initiative comes ahead of the festive season, when demand for food products such as modak, pedha, khoa, paneer, ghee, milk, curd, edible oil and dry fruits rises sharply. The demand for fasting foods, including bhagar, sabudana and rajgira, also increases during several festivals, the FDA said
Restore SIR-deleted voters: Bombay HC in petition seeks to quash CEC Gyanesh Kumar's orders
No special assembly session on Maharashtra drought crisis, says Sachin Ahir
Ahir said several parts of Maharashtra were facing a serious drought-like situation, with farmers suffering crop losses. He said the government was assessing conditions on the ground rather than relying solely on official reports
Iran offers 7-day plan to end conflict, reopen Strait of Hormuz, restart talks
Araghchi said the proposal had been conveyed to the United States through intermediaries and was similar to the memorandum of understanding reached between Tehran and Washington in June
Israelis bulldoze Palestinian olive trees ahead of harvest
Olives are the backbone of Palestinian agriculture
Negroni Week 2026: Explore the delicious cocktail in Mumbai with this new menu
It has also announced its annual membership to its The Negroni Club. Weve got the scoop on how it works: For Rs 10,000 a year, you get Negronis at a member-only Rs 500
OpenAI agent breached govt website: Anthony Albanese
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Delhi Police: 11 held for duping US citizens of Rs 100 crore
Police seized Rs 41 lakh in cash, 29 laptops, 25 mobile phones, eight routers and an SUV
Claude AI uncovers hidden CRISPR-like system in phages
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Xi invites 1,00,000 young Americans for exchanges, study in China
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Maharashtra sanctions 220 posts to clear 40,000 DFSL cases
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Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah thanks India, China for disaster aid
He expressed gratitude to countries and organisations that supported Nepal after the disaster, particularly mentioning assistance from India
Delegates walk out as Netanyahu addresses UN, and other Mideast developments
Here is a look at the latest news from the Middle East. More coverage of the UN General Assembly is available here
Netanyahu slams Mamdani at UN, accuses him of 'spitting in face of truth'
Netanyahu said he was spitting in the face of truth with the allegations and fomenting anti-semitism
I love social media, so much that I write a column on it. I find inspiration and healing on it. But some days, I realise, I feel happier, and lighter, when not scrolling
Tourists must feel safe and welcome in India
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Jinping calls for stronger China-US ties, urges both sides to build friendship
Xi thanked Trump and Melania for the arrangements made for his visit and said the hospitality reflected detailed attention to the delegation
Maharashtra govt forms 12-member panel on student council elections
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Maharashtra FDA suspends 248 food licences during Ganeshotsav
A total of 3068 establishments inspected statewide in 23 days; dubious food stock worth Rs 9.76 crore seized
Pune Ganesh visarjan: Dhol-tasha groups get 15 minutes at major chowks
Pune police have limited the time each dhol-tasha group can spend at a chowk during immersion
IIT-Bombay delays tests as faculty calls for 'student-friendly' SOP on handling exam misconduct
Drought-Like Conditions Affect 21 Districts in Maharashtra, Farmers Survey Underway
Maharashtra faces drought-like conditions in 21 districts due to low rainfall, with a farmers survey set to provide relief measures. Drought-Like Conditions Affect 21 Districts in Maharashtra, Farmers Survey Underway
Pune to host Road World Cycling Championships in 2032
Petition in Bombay High Court seeks stay on SIR in Maharashtra, restoration of voter names
The petition says Mr. Sandhu and Mr. Joshi recorded objections on 14 occasions in 10 months over voter registration, deletion and restoration of names, the database, the work of officers who register voters and software processes
Retd Army officer loses 12 lakh to digital arrest scam
Cybercrook posing as business partner dupes realtor of 30 lakh
2010 Mumbai ceremony was not valid Parsi marriage, says Bombay High Court, junks divorce suit
Ganapati Bappa Morya... Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya: Stage Set For Bappas Majestic Farewell Today
4,000 staff, 390 CCTVs, 812 immersion tanks in place for immersion
No red-marked PoP idol found among 944 identified in artificial tanks
TOI Analysis Of NMC Data Highlights Enforcement Gap In Mandatory Identification Of PoP Idols
Severe depression not legal insanity, says court, gives life term to engineer for strangling sister
Acquitted man gets right to be forgotten as HC orders digital records masked
Directs HC, SC & Trial Court Registries To Replace His Name With ABC In Publicly Accessible Records
Maha to declare drought in areas with high rain deficit, CM vows direct aid to farmers
Healthy lungs vital for heart, brain and overall well-being: Experts
Bawankule to lead Maha drought response panel
10-member panel, including chief secy, to inspect affected districts, review crop-loss assessments
Wild elephants return to Saoli taluka, farmers fear crop damage and human-animal conflict
MERC Proposes New Rules For Green Energy And Storage
Experts Flag Impact On Users With Over 3Kw Solar Capacity
NMC panel seeks 50% tax penalty cut for small plots
MSEDCL deploys teams along Pune immersion routes to prevent power disruptions
900 Excavator Hours For 4-Day Visarjan: NMCs Machinery Math Fails To Add Up
315kg copper pipes stolen from hospital site
1,350kg of adulterated khova seized in Akola by FDA teams
BLOs and AEROs make SIR hearings a cakewalk
Ensure better civic facilities for Deekshabhoomi visitors: Itankar
GIS System To Help Plan Civic Infra In City
