Bombay HC
Mumbai: Bombay HC has sought the state’s reply to a petition that seeks direction to police to allow a programme to be held at Azad Maidan from Nov 24-26 to mark the 77th Constitution Day . It said the trust has carried out various programmes related to the Constitution since 2019 with police permission.
The petition by Democratic Forum of Social Workers, a trust, also seeks that police grant it permission “to move around with a four-wheeler handcart carrying a bust of Dr Ambedkar, the tricolour, a copy of the Constitution, along with pamphlets to distribute to garner support of like-minded people in Mumbai city”. Despite applications to the CP on Sept 11 and Sept 28, “it appears [the CP] is deliberately avoiding permission to the petitioner, or at any rate, taking no decision or granting relief in the matter”, said the petition. It said the respondents’ inaction and delay infringe upon the petitioner’s fundamental rights to equality, speech and expression, and peaceful assembly. The judges said the “matter requires consideration” and posted the hearing for Nov 18. They directed prosecutor Shreekant Gavand to take instruction “and/or file a reply, if so advised”.
The trust had applied to the regional transport office, which refused it permission and advised it to approach the Mumbai commissioner of police (CP). The trust’s president, Pravin Singhal, told Justices Advait Sethna and Ranjitsinha Bhonsale on Monday that elaborate arrangements are required to be made.