Yakub Memon’s grave beautification row: He cannot be glorified, says Maharashtra CM Shinde

Amid row over the alleged beautification of the grave of 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde today, September 9, said that is an accused and cannot be glorified.

“Yakub Memon is an accused in Bombay Blast, cannot be glorified. We won't accept this or let it happen. I have informed BMC & Mumbai Police about it, the Home Ministry will take appropriate action,” CM Shinde said as quoted by ANI.

Earlier on Thursday, Shinde assured strict action concerning the "beautification" of 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon's grave in the Bada Qabrastan of Mumbai. The Chief Minister had said that an investigation has been initiated after the order of an inquiry into the matter."

An inquiry has been ordered. The investigation has also been started. Strict actions will be taken against the persons responsible," Shinde had said.

Meanwhile, according to the sources in the DCM office, the Mumbai Police has been directed to do a proper inquiry into the matter and also submit a report. After the lighting arrangements at Yakub Memon's grave were removed from Bada Qabrastan, Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Ram Kadam asked if this was former state Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's patriotism to convert the grave of a terrorist into a Mazar.

He had also sought an apology from NCP's Sharad Pawar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. Memon was the lone convict in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, who was sent to the gallows.