HC slams state over bandhs

The state government will have to face the court music if there are any more bandhs.
Criticising bandhs called by political parties, the Bombay high court on Wednesday said the state government could face contempt proceedings if it fails to implement an earlier court order that held bandhs to be unconstitutional.

In 2004, the high court had fined the Shiv Sena and the BJP Rs20 lakh each for losses suffered by the state during a 2003 bandh. The HC had directed the police to take preventive steps to stop political parties from disrupting normal life. The police were directed to issue notices to leaders calling for bandhs. In case the notice was flouted, the police were asked to record videos of the wreckage to fix responsibility for the losses.

On Monday, advocate Uday Warunjikar pointed out that despite the HC order the government had failed to take action against political parties and organisations. “We will not permit anyone to call bandhs and create a law and order problem,” Justice JN Patel and Justice KK Tated said.

The judges said the court expected the government to amend the Bombay Police Act to include the guidelines issued by the court. The judges also said that leaders, who give the bandh call, should be held responsible for the damage and disruption caused.