Bombay HC seeks Maharashtra Govt. a response to the Vice Mayor of Malegaon’s request against the removal of Tipu’s portrait from her office

Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna heard the petition and adjourned the matter, giving the state time to file a reply. File

The Bombay High Court on Thursday (September 17, 2026) asked the Maharashtra government to file a reply to Malegaon Municipal Corporation Deputy Mayor Shaan e Hind Nihal Ahmed’s petition against the Maharashtra Police’s communication for removing Tipu Sultan’s portrait from her office.

Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna heard the petition and adjourned the matter, giving the state time to file a reply.

The petition states that Ms. Ahmed of the Samajwadi Party displayed portraits of several national leaders in her office, including portraits of Shivaji Maharaj, Mahatma Gandhi, Rani Laxmibai, Tipu Sultan, Subhash Chandra Bose, Fatima Shaikh, Savitribai Phule, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Abdul Phasahule, J. Shahu Maharaj.

Nilesh Kakade, Leader of the Opposition Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) in the Malegaon Municipal Corporation, complained about a particular portrait of Tipu Sultan in the corporation’s office building, the petition said.

The petition refers to a September 1965 circular and a government resolution that says portraits of the country’s leaders can be displayed in government premises, according to the petition.

Ms Ahmed approached the court through counsel MM Vashi, who argued that the circulars and government resolutions cited by the respondents did not mention names like Abdul Kalam Azad, Fatima Shaikh and Bhagat Singh. He said the respondents were only protesting against the portrait of Tipu Sultan.

Mr. Vashi further said that the Nashik court has a portrait of Tipu Sultan and no action has been taken.

Published – 18 Sep 2026 05:54 IST