Hazare aides move Bombay HC to waive off MMRDA ground fees

Social organisation Jagrut Nagrik Manch, which supports the anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, has moved the Bombay High Court seeking directions to the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) to waive off the rent and security deposit sought by them for using its ground at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai for holding a protest.

Division bench of Justice PB Majmudar and Justice MR Bhatkar will hear the petition on Friday.

A member of the organisation, Himanshu Shah said, "This is not a fund raising function or where we will be gaining something from holding the fast rally. Earlier the three day fast scheduled to be held on December 27 to 29 was to be held at the Azad maidan ground. However, the police requested us to change the venue due to lack of infrastructure. Don't we get to peacefully protest and voice our concerns in this city?"

According to the petition the MMRDA has sought a security deposit of Rs7 lakh and a total rent of Rs11.5 lakh from the group.

Shah said "We are not some rich corporates that we can afford so much money. The Chief Minister has not responded to two of our request letters for waving off the amount and thus we are left with no choice but to move the court, hoping that we will get some relief."

The petition will come up for hearing on Friday.