Remove illegal offices or face action: HC to political parties

The Bombay High Court today warned issuance of notice against leaders of national political parties if they do not remove their unauthorised offices in the city.
"We expected political parties to show some grace and come before us and say we will ask our party workers to remove the illegal structures. We will issue notice to the leaders of these parties if we do not get proper commitment from them.
"We will also direct the Election Commission to take up the issue as it is a breach of rule of law," a division bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and A P Bhangale said.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation by Mohan Bhagat and Ajit Savagave highlighting the illegal structures occupied by political parties.
"Political leaders may consider advising their party workers to remove the illegal structures to avoid any adverse action by the corporation. We expect the political parties and its leaders to take the necessary corrective steps," Justice Khanwilkar said.
The court also directed the municipal corporation to decide on regularisation applications made by 32 such unauthorised structures within two weeks.

The court was informed there are 33 structures which have not filed regularisation application, but have filed suit in a civil court and an injunction has been granted on demolition.

"We prima facie find merit in the corporation's contention that such suits will not be maintainable in the absence of a regularisation application. We will examine this issue on the next date of hearing.
"The corporation shall intimate advocates appearing for those political parties whose structures have been protected by injunctions," the court said.
The matter has now been posted for hearing on March 25.