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Synopsis

A Bombay High Court bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipankar Dutta today, asked the petitioner in PIL against Eknath Shinde to deposit Rs. One lakh to prove their bonafide. The court further termed the litigation as ‘politically induced’.

The plea, filed through Advocate Ajinkya Udane sought directions of the court to Eknath Shinde and other Ministers to resume their duties, in view of the  political situation in the State of Maharashtra.

According to the plea, the duty and responsibility of each elected/appointed Member of Legislative Assembly or Member of Parliament not to disturb or not create nuisance in ‘Constitutional Governance’ for their gain or ego.

The bench, on hearing the plea, observed that the litigation is absolutely politically induced. The bench has also observed that the the petitioners have not researched properly before initiating this litigation. Therefore, the petitioners have been directed to pay a sum of Rs.one lakh in two weeks. The court also clarified that, if the money is not deposited, the PIL would be listed for hearing after 3 weeks or will be disposed off.

The court also heard and dismissed a plea, seeking registration of FIR for sedition and public nuisance against Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut.

The plea also sought directions to the court to restrain Thackeray and Raut from organising press conferences, tours, and visits to various places in Maharashtra. According to the plea, Eknath Shinde and other MLAs left for Guwahati, only for their personal safety.

The bench held that, the  petitioners have alternate remedies and could file a private complaint before a Magistrate Court. Thus both the pleas came to be dismissed.