HC rejects PIL against protest

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed a public interest litigation,which demanded that Anna Hazares fast against the governments Lokpal Bill should be declared illegal and unconstitutional.

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL),which demanded that Anna Hazares fast against the governments Lokpal Bill should be declared illegal and unconstitutional. Although the judges initially said they were inclined to impose costs on the petitioner,Munna Tripathi,they did not do so.

Tripathi,who is the president of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad,had contended that the actions of Anna and his supporters are subversive to the principle of democracy and if they were allowed to continue,it would damage the democratic fabric of the country.

In the previous hearing,the judges had questioned the petitioner on why he approached the court at a late stage even though the agitation had been announced much earlier. The court had also noted that protest is the right of every citizen and the organisers were well aware of the consequences of breaking the law.

The PIL was dismissed on Wednesday after the counsel for the Centre R V Desai said the petition was frivolous and not in public interest. Appearing for the state government,J S Saluja also told the court that the state is fully equipped to handle the situation. He also noted that there has been no law and order problem at the protest venue till now.

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