HC raps BJP worker for filing PIL against ally-ruled MCGM

On Tuesday, the Bombay High Court pulled up a BJP leader for filing a public interest litigation (PIL) against the Municipal Corporation of Greater Bombay (MCGM) and has asked him to deposit Rs 50,000.

A division bench of Justice Vidyasagar Kanade and Justice Mahesh Sonak was hearing a criminal PIL filed by Vivekanand Gupta, the General Secretary of BJP Mumbai Unit.

In his petition pertaining to the road repair scam, Gupta had sought the transfer of the scam’s investigation to the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB).

On Monday, when the matter came up for hearing the bench asked Gupta about his locus to which he introduced himself as a ‘political activist’.

The bench noted that Gupta is an active member of BJP, which is in power in the State.

Denying to hear the petition, the bench said, “You are a member of the BJP which is in power and your ally Shiv Sena is in power in the Municipal Corporation... how can we entertain your petition against the Corporation? We are not inclined to entertain your petition,” the bench said.

In addition to this, the bench directed Gupta to deposit Rs 50,000 within a period of two weeks.

Posting the matter for hearing after two weeks, the bench observed, “It has become a fashion for everyone to file a PIL, but it is high time to discourage such practice.”