HC to govt: Bring 1 case of political vandalism to us

The high court has asked the state government to pick one model case of political vandalism out of the 140 cases registered and submit it so that the court can take action against the culprits.

The high court has asked the state government to pick one model case of political vandalism out of the 140 cases registered and submit it so that the court can take action against the culprits.

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The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, asked the government counsels to examine the case and submit details and video recordings for court to examine.

“So that we will issue notices to the persons and take actions,” remarked Chief Justice.

Additional government pleader Niranjan Pandit told the court that 140 FIRs have been registered.

When Pandit said that no action has been taken in any of the cases, as the law pertaining to the matter was not very clear, Chief Justice replied, “Bring the best case to us and we will do the needful.”

Senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas, who was appointed as amicus curie (friend of the court), informed the court that police can act in such cases under the Bombay Police Act.

However, the Act states that the police has to first declare the vansalised area as a ‘disturbed area’ and then only they can recover the financial loss from the residents of these areas, as tax.

Chief Justice said: “If appropriate steps are taken then we do not see why it will not have desired effect on anti social elements.

The court directive is following a letter written by former IPS officer Julio Rebeiro, drawing the court’s attention to four cases of violence by political outfits in Mumbai and Thane between January 21 and January 30.