Civic agencies have sprung into action in two cities of Maharashtra today. The first operation was in Khar, Mumbai, at the Habitat studio where comedian Kunal Kamra recorded his viral show. In it, Kamra made scathing comments about Maharashtra's Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
The second operation was in Nagpur, where the Nagpur Corporation crew demolished a two-story building belonging to Faheem Khan, accused of Nagpur violence. Khan was alleged to have flouted rules in the building's construction.
Hammer Falls on Mumbai Studio
Comedian Kunal Kamra had shared a parody video on his ex-handle, sparking outrage among Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers. Subsequently, the Habitat Studio at Hotel Unicontinental was vandalized.
Responding to the incident, CM Devendra Fadnavis condemned the song, stating it was intolerable and that Kamra should apologize. Fadnavis emphasized that by 2025, the state electorate has clarified which faction represents the true Shiv Sena and who carries forward Balasaheb Thackeray's ideology.
By morning, Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) workers highlighted the spot, where BMC promptly initiated action, claiming the structures were illegal. BMC officials were seen entering the hotel with hammers.
BMC personnel arrived with sledgehammers and struck down the illegal structures in the studio.
Bulldozer Action in Nagpur
Nagpur police have charged Faheem Khan, a leader of the Minority Democratic Party (MDP), with sedition. He is among over 100 detained relating to the March 17 Nagpur violence.
Reports indicate the Nagpur Municipality issued Khan a notice mentioning various irregularities and lack of building plan approval for his house.
Faheem Khan, head of Nagpur's MDP city unit, faced allegations of illegal construction on plot number 61/A at Yashodhara Nagar's Sanjay Bagh Colony.
The NMC had first issued a notice in Mahirunnisaa Shamim Khan's name, a copy of which was sent to Khan's home. The notice ordered the illegal construction's removal within a week, failing which the Nagpur Municipality would act with a bulldozer.
Consequently, a bulldozer was deployed to Khan’s home.
On Monday around 10:30 AM, three JCB machines from the Nagpur Municipality began demolishing the house located in Yashodhara Nagar's Sanjay Bagh Colony. The entire area was heavily guarded, with drone surveillance conducted.
The demolition area was fully barricaded.
According to reports, Khan's mother owns the house, which is on a plot under the Nagpur Improvement Trust (lease) that expired in 2020.
Sources say no approval plan existed for the structure, rendering the entire construction unauthorized. The action reportedly falls under the MRTP Act.
NMC sources indicate that a demolition notice was served 24 hours before the action. The MDP city chief, Khan, is currently imprisoned.
At a press conference on March 22, Maharashtra CM Fadnavis was asked if similar bulldozer actions would occur in Nagpur like in UP. He confirmed action would be taken at an appropriate time.
Two days later, the NMC demolished the 'illegal construction'.
Similarly, Nagpur Corporation crews razed another violence-accused Yousuf Sheikh's house.
