Bombay High Court imposes costs of ₹1 lakh for "politically motivated" PIL against Raj Thackeray rally

The Bombay High Court at Aurangabad last week imposed costs of ₹1 lakh on a petitioner seeking to stop the May 1 political rally of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray [Jaikishan Kamble v. State of Maharashtra]..A Division Bench of Justices RD Dhanuka and SG Mehare was hearing a plea seeking directions to stop the political rally of Thackeray, cousin of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, on the ground that it might create a law and order situation in Aurangabad, especially in view of Ramzan."In our view, the apprehension of the petitioner appears created and to be politically motivated. The petition filed by the petitioner is politically motivated petition and appears not a bona fide petition. The Public Interest Litigation is dismissed with cost, quantified Rs. One lakh, which shall be deposited by him with the Maharashtra Legal Services Authority within three days from today," the High Court stated..The petitioner, Jaikishan Kamble, through his counsel Ajay Kanwade, informed the Court that he is the District and City President of the Republican Yuva Morcha, Aurangabad, and a public-spirited person. He sought a writ of mandamus against the authorities to restrict and stop the political rally of Thackeray, which was scheduled on May 1, at the Marathwada Sanskritik Mandal Maidan in Aurangabad.Kamble pointed out that the rally could create a law and order situation given it was the holy month of Ramzan. Further, organising such a rally 48 hours before Eid raises serious doubts about Thackeray's intentions, he claimed.Opposing the plea, Government Pleader DR Kale submitted that the Commissioner of Police, Aurangabad had already given permission for the rally by imposing some 16 stringent conditions. .The Bench, after examining the permission copy, concluded that the apprehensions of Kamble were ill-founded."Perusal of the said conditions clearly indicate that the Police Commissioner has taken care of all aspect so as to not to have any law and order problem on the day of public meeting proposed to be held by the Mr. Swarraj alias Raj Thackeray. The conditions imposed by the Police Commissioner are stringent conditions issued in public interest," the order reads.