Tag Archives: Bombay High Court

law, media, politics, rights

Bombay HC Transfers Sanatan Sanstha’s Defamation Suits Against Narendra Dabholkar’s Son, Journalists From Goa To Kolhapur

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**Mumbai: Bombay High Court Orders Transfer of Defamation Suits Filed by Sanatan Sanstha Against Hamid Dabholkar and Journalists from Goa to Maharashtra**

The Bombay High Court has directed the transfer of multiple defamation suits filed by the right-wing group Sanatan Sanstha against Hamid Dabholkar, son of the late rationalist Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, and several journalists. These cases, originally heard in Goa, will now be moved to Maharashtra following the court’s observations that the petitioners’ apprehensions regarding their safety appear “reasonable and genuine.”

### Background of the Defamation Suits

Sanatan Sanstha, headquartered in Ponda, Goa, had filed several defamation suits in 2017 and 2018 against Hamid Dabholkar and various journalists. The organization alleged that the accused had made or published false and defamatory statements that damaged its reputation. Until now, these cases were being adjudicated by the court in Ponda, Goa.

### Petitioners Seek Transfer Citing Safety Concerns

Hamid Dabholkar and the journalists petitioned the Bombay High Court to transfer the proceedings outside Goa, expressing fears for their personal safety if the trials continued within Sanstha’s stronghold. They referenced the assassinations of Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, activist Govind Pansare, scholar M.M. Kalburgi, and journalist Gauri Lankesh—all outspoken critics of the group—arguing that they too could face similar threats.

### High Court Recognizes Threat and Orders Transfer

Justice Jamadar, hearing the matter, accepted the petitioners’ concerns. He stated, “If the animosity bordering on enmity between the Sanatan Sanstha and the applicants is considered, then the apprehension raised by the petitioners in their pleas are reasonable and genuine.” The judge added that “the command of dictate of justice would be better saved if the suits are transferred from the court at Goa to a court in Maharashtra.”

### Defamation Suits to be Heard in Kolhapur

Consequently, the court ordered the transfer of these defamation suits to a court in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, “in the interest of justice.” However, at Sanatan Sanstha’s request, the High Court stayed the operation of its order for six weeks.

### Court Refers to Dabholkar Murder Trial Findings

In support of its ruling, the court referred to the findings from the 2013 murder trial of Dr. Narendra Dabholkar. The Pune sessions court had convicted two individuals for their involvement in the killing and noted that Sanatan Sanstha and affiliated groups had strongly opposed Dabholkar’s anti-superstition campaigns. Prosecution witnesses also established connections between the accused and the Sanstha.

### Applicants’ Vulnerability Highlighted

Justice Jamadar emphasized that the sessions court had found “reliable evidence” of Sanatan Sanstha’s opposition to Dabholkar. He further noted that even the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had been unable to identify the mastermind behind the assassination. “These findings of the sessions court appear sufficient to instill a sense of fear in the minds of the applicants,” the judge remarked.

### Historical Murders Lend Gravity to Safety Concerns

The court underscored that Hamid Dabholkar, having testified as a prosecution witness in the Dabholkar trial and continuing to criticize the Sanstha’s ideology, remains particularly vulnerable. Additionally, the judge highlighted the murders of Govind Pansare (February 2015), M.M. Kalburgi (August 2015), and Gauri Lankesh (September 2017)—all critics of similar ideologies—as factors that “lend gravity to the situation.”

**[End of Article]**
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/bombay-hc-transfers-sanatan-sansthas-defamation-suits-against-narendra-dabholkars-son-journalists-from-goa-to-kolhapur

city development, government, law, municipal governance, urban planning

Bombay HC Orders Expert Committee To Curb Urban Chaos In Badlapur, Ensuring Systematic Town Planning

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**Mumbai: Bombay High Court Orders Expert Committee to Tackle Urban Chaos in Badlapur**

The Bombay High Court has described the unchecked growth of Badlapur as a recipe for “urban chaos” and a “municipal nightmare.” In response, the court has ordered the formation of an expert improvement committee tasked with preparing a blueprint for the town’s systematic development. Badlapur falls under the jurisdiction of the Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipal Council (KBMC) in Thane district.

### Civic Infrastructure Concerns

A bench comprising Justices Girish Kulkarni and Arif Doctor highlighted critical infrastructure shortcomings in Badlapur. The lack of proper drainage lines, sewerage facilities, and functional sewage treatment plants has left thousands of residents struggling with basic civic services.

“The present plight appears to be completely beyond the control and/or comprehension of the Chief Officer to achieve appropriate town planning,” the court remarked. It stressed the urgent need for external expertise to address these issues effectively.

### Formation of Expert Committee

The court directed that the expert committee be constituted within two weeks. This committee will identify pressing urban planning problems and propose both immediate and long-term solutions.

The committee will include:

– Experts nominated by CIDCO and the state’s director of town planning
– The additional collector of Thane
– The CEO of KBMC
– A representative of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB)
– An eminent social worker nominated by the civic body

The overarching goal is to transform Kulgaon-Badlapur into a “Model Town” comparable to Navi Mumbai.

### Complaint and Compensation Ordered

The ruling follows a plea filed by Yashwant Anna Bhoir, who alleged that sewage from the Trishul Golden Ville Cooperative Housing Society, developed by A Plus Lifespace, was draining into his adjoining plot. Advocates Avinash Fatangare and Archana Shelar appeared on Bhoir’s behalf.

In response, the court ordered the developer to pay Rs 10 lakh in compensation to Bhoir and mandated remedial measures to be implemented within six weeks. Additionally, Rs 50,000 in costs were imposed on KBMC due to the civic body’s failure to enforce basic regulations.

### Ward-Wise Inspections Mandated

Raising “great doubt” about KBMC’s enforcement of powers against unauthorized drainage connections, the court ordered ward-wise inspections of high-rise buildings to curb such violations.

### Environmental Concerns

The bench was particularly critical of the ongoing release of sewage and untreated waste into the Ulhas River, condemning it as “an intolerable attack by ‘we the humans’ on such natural resources.”

### The Need for Planned Development

Noting Badlapur’s rise as a “popular suburb” due to its connectivity with Mumbai and Thane, the court cautioned that development must not outpace infrastructural capacity.

“Authorities are required to ensure robust town planning measures… not an urban chaos resulting in a haphazard concrete jungle,” the judges said. They emphasized that poor planning already jeopardizes citizens’ fundamental right to a healthy environment.

### Public Health Warning

The court warned that failure to act promptly would lead to “a nightmare of municipal chaos and high degree of urban disorder,” causing numerous public woes, including health hazards such as typhoid, malaria, and dengue.

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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/bombay-hc-orders-expert-committee-to-curb-urban-chaos-in-badlapur-ensuring-systematic-town-planning

justice, law, politics, terrorism

Bombay HC Issues Notices To NIA & Acquitted Accused In 2008 Malegaon Blast Case

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**Bombay High Court Issues Notices in 2008 Malegaon Blast Case Appeal**

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday issued notices to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and those acquitted in the 2008 Malegaon blast case. This development follows an appeal filed by family members of the blast victims, challenging the special court’s verdict that acquitted seven persons, including BJP MLA Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad has scheduled the appeal hearing after six weeks.

### About the Appeal

The appeal challenges the special court’s decision last year to acquit seven accused individuals, among whom are BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit. The blast in Malegaon resulted in six deaths and over 100 injuries.

### Blast Details and Investigation

On September 29, 2008, an explosive device strapped to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque in Malegaon, killing six people and injuring 101 others.

Initially, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested eleven individuals. However, after a decade, only seven were tried in court, with the others discharged. The NIA took over the investigation in 2011.

On July 31, special judge A.K. Lahoti acquitted all seven accused, stating that there was no “reliable and cogent evidence” presented against them to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

### Grounds of the Appeal

The families of the victims contend that the trial court acted merely as a “post office,” failing to rigorously test the prosecution’s case, especially considering missing or hostile evidence.

The appeal asserts that any procedural defects or investigation lapses should not have resulted in acquittals, particularly in a terrorism case. It further alleges that the NIA diluted the case deliberately.

Highlighting concerns about the prosecution, the petition references former special prosecutor Rohini Salian’s public statement that she was pressured to slow down proceedings against the accused. The replacement prosecutor, the petition argues, lacked experience in handling terror trials.

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https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-bombay-hc-issues-notices-to-nia-acquitted-accused-in-2008-malegaon-blast-case

court, entertainment, film, law, legal

No stay on Jolly LLB 3: Bombay High Court dismisses plea alleging film ridicules judges

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**Bombay High Court Dismisses Plea Seeking Stay on Release of Jolly LLB 3**

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition that sought to stall the release of *Jolly LLB 3*, the highly anticipated courtroom drama starring Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi. Directed by Subhash Kapoor, the film is scheduled to hit theatres this Friday, September 19.

The plea, filed by the Association for Aiding Justice, alleged that the film ridiculed lawyers and judges. It also objected to the song *Bhai Vakeel Hai*, claiming it demeaned the legal profession.

During the hearing, advocate Dipesh Siroya, representing the petitioner, pointed to a scene where judges are referred to as “mamu,” calling the term derogatory. However, the bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad dismissed these concerns outright.

“We have been facing mockery since day one. Don’t worry about us,” the judges remarked while rejecting the plea.

The court was also informed that the Allahabad High Court had already dismissed a similar petition against the film.

Meanwhile, legal challenges to *Jolly LLB 3* are being heard in other states as well. The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently reprimanded a lawyer for filing a case without including the filmmakers as parties. Similarly, the Gujarat High Court instructed a petitioner to consider the Allahabad High Court’s order before proceeding further.

Despite these objections, *Jolly LLB 3* remains on track for its scheduled release on September 19.

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**Also Read:**
[SHOCKING: PVR Inox puts advance booking of Jolly LLB 3 on hold across the country]

**More Pages:**
– Jolly LLB 3 Box Office Collection
– Bollywood News Live Updates
https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/no-stay-jolly-llb-3-bombay-high-court-dismisses-plea-alleging-film-ridicules-judges/