Bombay High Court Says : All High Court Benches Are Equal
Bombay High Court Says : All High Court Benches Are Equal
The Bombay High Court is going to consider if a Public Interest Litigation challenging the lifting of the liquor ban in district Chandrapur, Maharashtra should be heard by the Nagpur Bench or the Principal seat.
In this case, the petitioner is Dr. Abhay Bang who has attacked the Counsel of Minister’s decision and a circular that repealed the liquor ban imposed in Chandrapur district since April of 2015.
During the hearing on 20th December, 2021 (Monday), the Bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and M.S. Karnik considered why a plea that falls in Nagpur Bench jurisdiction should be heard by the Principal Seat.
The counsels for the petitioner submitted that lifting of the liquor bans affects children and women of the region. It was also stated that the decision will have state-wide ramifications and since the decision was taken in Mumbai, the Principal seat should hear the matter.
However, the Court said that just because the decision was taken in Mumbai, it doesn’t mean the Principal Bench will hear the case.
Observing thus, the Court listed the case on the administrative side to decide if the Nagpur of the Bench of the Bombay High Court should hear the matter or the Principal Seat should continue hearing the same.
