Mumbai
Updated : Apr 25, 2015, 10:41 PM IST
The Bombay High Court has asked Congress, chief election commissioner, the Union of India, and Maharashtra government to file their response to a petition challenging allotment of the 'hand' symbol to the party on the ground that it was very similar to the logo of state police.
The direction was given by a bench headed by chief justice Mohit Shah on Friday during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Pune-based RTI activist Hemant Patil. The respondents have been asked to file their replies by January 17, according to petitioner's lawyer RN Kachave.
The PIL said the symbol may lead the common man to equate Congress with police and think that the party maintains law and order.
Patil, in the PIL, said he had approached the Election Commission of India as well as the Maharashtra home ministry and had filed written complaints with them as well, but no action was taken. The court will hear the matter in January.