Mumbai: A controversy has erupted over the maintenance work of the grave of 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon. The BJP has claimed that Memon's grave has been beautified and efforts are being made to convert it into a place of worship. The BJP says Memon's grave was beautified due to Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray's tenure as Maharashtra CM. The party demanded an apology for this. Shiv Sena leaders, however, said the party and the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government had nothing to do with it and they were being unnecessarily dragged into the issue.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde has ordered an inquiry into the matter. Shinde said on Thursday night, "Inquiry has been ordered. The investigation has already started. Those who are found guilty in this, strict action will be taken against them.'' After these reports, the Mumbai Police swung into action and removed the 'LED light' installed around the grave of the terrorist. Memon was hanged in the Nagpur Jail in 2015 and was buried in South Mumbai's Bada Cemetery. The police officer said that a police officer of the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) will investigate how the 'LED light' was installed on the grave of a terrorist. Along with this, it was decorated by putting 'tiles' of marble.

Some BJP leaders in Maharashtra claimed that the grave was converted into a tomb when Uddhav Thackeray was CM. The Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction said the entire issue was an attempt to divert people's attention from more important issues like rising inflation and unemployment. Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray accused the BJP of trying to disturb peace ahead of the civic polls in Mumbai by creating a controversy over Memon's grave. Thackeray said the BJP should first answer why Memon's body was allowed to be buried after hanging in 2015.

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