Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Tipu Sultan Portrait Dispute Reaches Bombay High Court
A portrait of Tipu Sultan in a municipal office in Malegaon has caused a dispute.
The portrait was displayed with images of several other historical and national figures.
A municipal opposition leader objected to it.
Municipal officials and police then sought its removal, citing rules about portraits in government offices.
The deputy mayor, whose office displayed it, challenged those directions in the Bombay High Court.
The court has asked the Government of Maharashtra to explain its position.
The government opposed the petition, but the court ordered a written response.
The case will be heard again in three weeks.
The Bombay High Court has sought the Government of Maharashtra’s response to a petition over a Tipu Sultan portrait.
The portrait was displayed in the Malegaon Municipal Corporation deputy mayor’s office alongside images of other historical and national figures.
The municipal opposition leader objected, after which civic authorities and police sought the portrait’s removal.
Authorities cited a 1965 circular and government resolutions from 2002 concerning portraits in government offices.
The court directed the government to respond, with the case scheduled for another hearing after three weeks.
- Who
- The Malegaon Municipal Corporation deputy mayor, civic authorities, police, the municipal opposition leader, and the Government of Maharashtra are involved.
- What
- A petition challenges directions to remove a portrait of Tipu Sultan from the deputy mayor’s office.
- When
- The matter is scheduled to be heard again after three weeks.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Malegaon Municipal Corporation office in Malegaon, and the petition is before the Bombay High Court.
- Why
- The portrait’s display was challenged under rules and resolutions concerning portraits in government offices; the petitioner disputes why Tipu Sultan’s portrait was singled out.
Petitioner’s Position
Government’s Position
Portrait removal
Petitioner’s Position
The deputy mayor argues that the action against Tipu Sultan’s portrait requires judicial scrutiny, particularly because portraits of other historical figures remain displayed.
Government’s Position
The Government of Maharashtra opposed the petition and defended the authorities’ position during the hearing.
Rules governing portraits
Petitioner’s Position
The petitioner questions the specific objection to Tipu Sultan’s portrait and points to the Constitution of India’s original artistic illustrations and portraits at other public institutions.
Government’s Position
Municipal authorities and police relied on a 1965 circular and 2002 government resolutions concerning the display of national leaders’ portraits in government offices.
- Court
- Bombay High Court
- Location
- Malegaon Municipal Corporation deputy mayor’s office
- Portrait
- Tipu Sultan
- Authorities’ references
- A 1965 circular and government resolutions issued in 2002
- Government position
- The Government of Maharashtra opposed the petition
- Next hearing
- Scheduled after three weeks
- Additional argument
- The petitioner cited the original artistic version of the Constitution of India and Tipu Sultan’s portrait at certain other public institutions