Reply to Thane MP’s plea to restore his security: HC to govt

Balasaheb Thackeray leader Rajan Vichare seeking restoration of his security cover.

Vichare has claimed that his life has been “endangered to extract political upmanship by the state government”.

First India Bureau Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the state government to file response to a plea by Thane MP and Shiv Sena - Uddhav

The court asked the government to produce a report of threat perceptions on which the decision to reduce Vichare’s security was taken.

However, the bench directed Vichare’s lawyer to delete the names of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis who were named as par- ties to the case in their personal capacity. It also questioned how the writ plea was maintainable if the ministers were named in their personal capacity instead of referring to the department concerned with the grievance. The plea has also made Thane police party to the case. In his plea, Vichare had claimed that one of the two constables deployed to provide him security was removed in

October last year. Alleging danger to the lives of his family members, Vichare said that his security cover ought to be reinstated.

Vichare alleged that the Shinde government had “wrongfully” reduced his security with “ill motive”.

“The Shinde-led government is trying to create problems for MPs and MLAs who have not joined hands with either Eknath Shinde or the BJP,” the plea said.

After arguments, the bench posted further hearing after two weeks.

NO COUNSEL BEFORE OSMANABAD, AURANGABAD RENAMING?, ASKS HC

Mumbai (PTI): The Bombay High Court on Tuesday sought to know from the state government if it had called for objections and suggestions before deciding to rename Aurangabad and Osmanabad cities in the state. A division bench of Acting Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice Sandeep Marne also directed the Union government to show if any proposal was submitted by the state government to it over the change of names. The court asked the state government if authorities could use the new names in official communication without the completion of the final process.

After state cabinet of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde approved the renaming of Aurangabad as Sambhaji Nagar and Osmanabad as Dharashiv last year, two public interest litigations were filed in HC challenging this decision. The bench has posted the petitions for hearing on February 15.