Bombay High Court dismisses PIL against Uddhav Thackeray; PIL petitioner against Eknath Shinde asked to deposit ₹1 lakh

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed a public interest litigation petition seeking registration of FIR for sedition and public nuisance against former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut..A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice MS Karnik held that petitioners had an alternate recourse to law and could file a private criminal complaint before a Magistrate Court. .Another PIL against MLA Eknath Shinde and other rebel Shiv Sena MLAs, was termed as 'politically induced litigation' with the bench asking the petitioner to deposit ₹1 lakh as pre-condition to hear the matter."Prima facie, we are of the view that this is an absolutely politically induced litigation. The petitioners have not made requisite research. We direct the petitioners to deposit Rs one lakh as security within two weeks," the court directed.The bench also clarified that if the security is deposited then the PIL would be listed for hearing after 3 weeks or it shall stand disposed of..The PIL against the Thackerays and Raut sought investigation and registration FIRs for causing public nuisance.The petition filed by social activist Hemant Patil also sought an order restraining the Thackerays and Raut from organizing press conferences, tours, and visits to various places in Maharashtra on the issue of rebellion by MLAs of the Eknath Shinde faction.Patil stated that after the political crisis within the State, the dissident MLAs fled to Guwahati only to protect the safety of their lives after receiving threats from the Thackerays and Raut..The PIL against Shinde sought a directive to rebel Shiv Sena MLAs and ministers led by Eknath Shinde to immediately return to the State from Guwahati where they were camped two days ago when the State was embroiled in a political crisis. The crisis had come to a conclusion after Uddhav Thackeray resigned as CM yesterday since the Supreme Court refused to stay the floor test called by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari..The Bench enquired with the petitioners if they still wanted to proceed in light of the developments which took place on Wednesday.Advocate Asim Sarode and Ajinkya Udane prayed for the Court to take cognizance considering the former ministers amongst the rebel MLAs had been absent from the State for so long and were abstaining from their duty.“Which rule says MLAs have to remain within the State all the time? What action can the Court take against them? You have elected them, you can take an action against them,” the Chief Justice said.The Court deemed it fit to direct the petitioners to deposit security to prove their bonafide before the Court can hear them.