The Bombay High Court. (File) The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday expressed displeasure over Shiv Sena leader and Cabinet Minister Sandipan Bhumre reportedly participating in functions for the inauguration of developmental works in his constituency of Paithan in the presence of a large gathering.
The HC said that it was “compelled” to direct politicians and ministers not to conduct physical ceremonies and functions, including inaugurating projects, until lockdown restrictions are eased by the state government.
A division bench of Justice Ravindra V Ghuge and Justice Bhalchandra U Debadwar passed the directions while hearing a suo motu PIL based on news reports, seeking to address issues of funeral rites of Covid-19 patients, shortage of medical oxygen supply and black marketing of Remdesivir drug among others.
The court referred to a news report that stated that Bhumre had inaugurated development works in his constituency in the presence of a large gathering. “While news reports said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has appealed to politicians not to organise such events, still it is happening… even the leader/minister is a super spreader… There seems to be no action. What is this politicians-police nexus?” it said.
“…Are lockdown restrictions and orders passed by the court in the interest of public health meant only for the poor and politicians are above law? We all need to discipline ourselves and should obey law and lockdown restrictions. None of these orders or restrictions are being followed by these politicians,” the court said. The HC will hear the PIL next on Thursday.
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