The Pune Police on Tuesday told the Bombay High Court that it has allowed the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) to take out a procession on December 24 to mark Constitution Day and the birth anniversary of Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad. Tipu Sultan in Baramati.
This comes after AIMIM’s Pune city president Fayaz Shaikh approached the High Court against the denial of permission for the rally.
Accepting the statement of the police, the bench of Justices Revathi Mohite-Dere and Prithviraj Chavan refused to quash the notice issued not to stop the procession near any religious place, especially the temple.
However, the bench criticized the state police for not obeying the law. “What is this law-and-order situation that can arise in every case? You (the police) are guessing something, you take the call. It is your domain you take care of it and ensure that no untoward incident takes place during the event,” the bench noted.
On behalf of the petitioner, Advocate Tapan Thatte filed an application in the High Court saying that despite the permission of the police to take out the rally, his client sought permission from the Baramati Municipal Council to display banners and pylons.
The bench noted, “If the law mandates a special permit for any such procession, it must be followed. We cannot make an exception.”
Last week, the high court had questioned its refusal to allow the rally scheduled for November 26.
Tipu Sultan was the 18th century ruler of the kingdom of Mysore. Azad was the first education minister of independent India.
published – December 18, 2024 at 01:19 pm IST