20 categories of PILs to be distributed across 8 benches of Bombay HC

In order to facilitate speedy disposal, the Bombay High Court has decided to distribute different categories of Public Interest Litigation (PILs) among different Division Benches..Twenty categories of PILs have been identified by the High Court, and will be distributed across eight division benches. Each of these benches will be headed by Chief Justice Manjula Chellur, Justice VK Tahilramani, Justice Naresh H Patil, Justice SS Kemkar, Justice AS Oka, Justice SC Dharmadhikari and Justice BR Gavai..Additionally, a Special Bench of two women judges, namely Justices Mridula Bhatkar and Justice Revati Mohite Dere, will now hear PILs pertaining to the rights of women and children, and offences against them..However, the order dated November 16 makes it clear that PILs that have been specifically allotted to a Bench or have been disposed of, but kept pending for compliance, will not be affected by this move. It states,.“This administrative order, however, will not affect the Public Interest Litigations that are disposed of till date and are kept pending for compliance etc. Such Public Interest Litigations which are kept pending for compliance/directions etc. shall be with the same Court to which it is assigned prior to this order.”.The one hundred and thirty PILs pertaining to illegal constructions and the encroachment of government land will now be heard by a bench headed by Chief Justice Manjula Chellur. As will the same number of matters pertaining to misappropriation of public funds, fraud committed by companies, and illegal allotment of work, among others..Read the order: