Bombay High Court Restrains Maharashtra Bandh Over Badlapur School Incident

The Bombay High Court has blocked political parties and individuals from initiating a Maharashtra bandh in response to the Badlapur school sexual assault incident. The court ruled that such protests would disrupt daily life significantly. The MVA alliance had called for a bandh, which the court found unconstitutional based on a 2004 ruling.

The Bombay High Court on Friday blocked political parties and individuals from proceeding with a Maharashtra bandh over the Badlapur school sexual assault incident scheduled for August 24 and any future date, citing severe disruption to normal life. The ruling leans on a 2004 High Court decision declaring enforced bandhs unconstitutional.

Judge Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar highlighted potential economic, health, and essential service losses if the bandh proceeded. Opposition leader Sharad Pawar had earlier appealed for withdrawal, and the Congress opted for a peaceful protest with black bands.

The MVA alliance, including Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), had called for the shutdown. The court based its decision on petitions challenging the bandh call and directed the Maharashtra government to take preventive measures against any such future protests.

(With inputs from agencies.)