After MNS chief's warning to mosques, partymen play Hanuman Chalisa on loudspeaker outside office
Mumbai, Apr 4: A day after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray had spoken of countering azaan from loudspeakers on mosques with Hanuman Chalisa, one of his party workers was detained and later released in Asalfa area of Mumbai on Sunday afternoon for attempting it, police said.
A Ghatkopar police station official said Mahendra Bhanushali was detained after he installed loudspeakers on a tree and started playing Hanuman Chalisa in Himalaya Society in Asalfa in Chandivali.
"A police team arrived at the spot, detained Bhanushali and seized the sound equipment. He was released some two hours later. Bhanushali was fined Rs 5,500 and a notice under CrPC section 149 has been issued to him to not repeat the act," he said.
Bhanusahli condemned the police's act and said he was being harassed for "performing aarti".
MNS chief Raj Thackeray had on Saturday demanded that loudspeakers of mosques be shut down.
Why are loudspeakers in mosques played at such high volume? If this is not stopped, there will be speakers outside mosques playing Hanuman Chalisa at higher volume, he had warned while addressing a Gudi Padwa rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
#WATCH 'Hanuman Chalisa' being played from loudspeakers at the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena office in Mumbai's Ghatkopar
— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2022
MNS Chief Raj Thackeray yesterday said, "I am warning now...Remove loudspeakers or else will put loudspeakers in front of the mosque and play Hanuman Chalisa." pic.twitter.com/nERn23Vg7M
Mumbai Police imposed Rs 5,050 fine on me & gave notice stating if I play it again, strict action will be taken; my loudspeakers will be given later. If the MVA govt doesn't take action, 'Hanuman Chalisa' will be played on big loudspeakers in front of Mosques: Mahendra Bhanushali pic.twitter.com/3BSMOl9NeM
— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2022
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Mumbai court clerk caught by ACB taking Rs 15L; additional sessions judge named in FIR
Mumbai: A clerk at Mazgaon Civil and Session Court, Chandrakant Vasudev (40), was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday for accepting a bribe of Rs 15 lakh from a Bandra businessman for a favourable verdict in a land dispute case.
The ACB officials said on Wednesday that additional sessions judge, Aejazuddin S Kazi (55), has been named in the FIR filed in the case and shown as wanted by the Bureau.
Both Vasudev and Judge Kazi have been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The officials have added that the businessman had been asked initially to give a total of Rs 25 lakh, as Rs 15 lakh for the judge and Rs 10 lakh for the clerk. After negotiations, the amount was reduced to Rs 15 lakh.
The clerk Vasudev was produced in court and sent to judicial custody for five days.
ACB Assistant Commissioner of Police Manisha Zende has said that Kazi was booked after Vasudev confirmed the judge’s role in the graft. The clerk had called the judge when he was caught by the ACB team and informed Kazi that he had received the money, she added. The official, however, said that Kazi was yet to be arrested and remains a wanted accused.
In April 2016, the Bombay High Court had stayed the creation of third-party rights on the disputed land. As the land’s valuation was below ₹10 crore, the commercial suit was transferred to the Civil Sessions Court in Mazgaon.
On September 9, 2025, an office associate of the complainant received a call from Vasudev when he was at Court No 14 of the Civil Sessions Court, the ACB stated.
Vasudev is said to have met the complainant in suburban Chembur, where he demanded ₹25 lakh. After the complainant refused to pay the huge amount, Vasudev allegedly called him repeated to demand the bribe, which prompted the complainant to approach and file a complaint with the ACB on November 10.
As instructed by the ACB, the complainant met Vasudev on the court premises and agreed to pay ₹15 lakh. Vasudev called Judge Kazi to inform him about the payment, and the judge allegedly acknowledged the bribe, after which, the clerk was apprehended and arrested by the ACB officials.
Further investigation is underway, the official said.
