The Bombay High Court issued notice to Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) constituents Indian National Congress (INC), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) on Thursday in a plea challenging the coalition party's declaration of a state-wide bandh on October 11, 2021.

"Since it is evident from wireless message that the bandh call had been given by the MVA, and that the constituents of MVA who are respondents 3, 4 and 5 have stayed away from proceedings till date, we issue rule against such respondents."

The Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by former Mumbai Police Commissioner Julio Ribeiro, who wanted those responsible for the state-wide bandh prosecuted.

The petitioner complained that normal economic, social, and other activities were hampered as a result of the bandh declared by the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition party on October 11. According to the plea, the State government flagrantly violated citizens' basic freedoms and fundamental rights under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution, causing loss to the Centre and the State.

The Mumbai Police Department also filed an affidavit detailing its role during the bandh. Sanjay Latkar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), filed an affidavit outlining the steps taken by the police to ensure that no untoward incident occurred and that there was no breakdown in law and order in Mumbai.

The affidavit listed the cases that the police had registered as a result of the bandh. As a result, the Mumbai Police claimed that the State government could not be held liable for the alleged incidents detailed in the petition.

Case Title: Julio Ribeiro vs. Union of India & Others.

Citation: PILL/26666/2021