Bombay HC directs Maharashtra govt to notify protest zone at Azad Maidan by April 2 | Representational Image
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government told the Bombay high court on Wednesday that it would notify an area in the Azad Maidan ground to hold morchas, protests or agitations in South Mumbai. The statement comes pursuant to earlier direction by the high court.
The government has already earmarked an area for the same following interim direction from the HC earlier. However, the court has now asked the government to formulate rules and notify the area formally.
A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice MS Karnik passed the direction while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Nariman Point Churchgate Citizens Association and others in 1997. The PIL objected to the holding of rallies, protests and demonstrations held near Mantralaya and the ruckus created in the neighbourhood.
On Wednesday, Additional Government Pleader Abhay Patki said that the state had finalised the rules under the Maharashtra Police Act and regulations for controlling the morchas. He assured the court that it would be notified in its official gazette by April 2, 2025. Patki submitted a draft notification along with an affidavit through which the State apologised for the delay in this notification.
Senior Advocate SC Naidu, representing the petitioners, sought some time to go through the documents to enable the petitioners to see the exact area earmarked in Azad Maidan which is to be notified. The senior advocate said apart from the ground being used for cricket practice, metro construction was being undertaken amidst the protests held there on a daily basis.
“All that we are saying is that they identify the designated area or else we will have to come back though 28 years experience is a long time,” Naidu added. He also urged the court to ask State to attach a map of the area designated.
However, the bench remarked that there was no point in keeping the PIL pending and said in case petitioners had grievance after the notification was issued, they can file a fresh petition.
“There is no point in keeping a petition from 1997 pending any further. Every time such petitions come up for hearing, we feel guilty that this petition is coming up after 28 years. If you have a problem with the notification then challenge that,” the chief justice remarked. The bench asked the State to implement the notification in “letter and spirit”.
