HC restrains political parties or individuals from calling for Maharashtra bandh

In a setback for the opposition parties in Maharashtra, the Bombay High Court has restrained political parties or even individuals from calling for a Maharashtra bandh. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance of Congress, Shiv Sena-UBT and NCP-SP has called for a shut-down across the state tomorrow (August 24) to protest against the alleged sexual assault of two minor girls at a school in Badlapur in Thane district. After the High Court order, Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde has vowed to implement the no-bandh order.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar directed the Maharashtra government to take all necessary measures to prevent the bandh. The judges indicated that a detailed order would be issued soon in response to two petitions filed on Friday by advocates Subhash Jha and Gunaratna Sadavarte, challenging the bandh call.

"We are restraining any political party and/or any individual from calling for a bandh. The state shall take all preventive steps," the HC said.