Bombay High Court reject plea on fee waiver for Anna's rally

The Bombay High Court turned down a plea filed by supporters of India Against Corruption, on the contention that the court cannot force the Maharashtra government to determine a venue at concessional rates for veteran social activist Anna Hazare's proposed fast.

Advocate for the petitioner, Jagrut Nagrik Manch (Citizens Awareness Forum), Mahendra Ghelani said this at Mumbai on Friday (December 23).

Ghelani said that the court observed it has no authority to direct the government, since the jurisdiction falls under Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and it is the appropriate authority to grant permission to hold the protest at the sought venue.

"The Court has observed that it cannot interfere in the petition since the issues raised under this petition are not justifiable. It is for MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) to decide that if the petitioner fulfills the eligibility criteria. And also to clarify under what category does the eligibility for concession falls; whether the petitioner falls under registered NGO or social organisation? As such the Court said it can't decide on this plea for relief," said Mahesh Ghelani.

It was also learnt that the bench that heard the petition noted the High Court can't judge whether the proposed protest fast is in public interest or politically motivated.

Apparently, the concerned civic body had refused to give them the venue to stage the fast, as the NGO, which had filed an application, is not registered with the government.

Anna close aide and representative of petitioner NGO, Mayank Gandhi ascertained that they are now substituting the relevant application by that of a registered NGO.

He said that MMRDA has assured that once an application is submitted, they would permit for Hazare's three day fast starting December 27.

"We are substituting the application of Jagrut Nagrik Manch with the application of PCRF (Public Cause Research Foundation). MMRDA has confirmed that they would give a discounted rate that is for social organisation, which would cut the cost by 4.5 lakh rupees," said Mayank Gandhi.

Earlier, the 74-year old Gandhian, Hazare had dismissed the government's draft of the Lokpal) Bill and announced that he would go on a three-day hunger strike from December 27 to December 30.

Later, he and his supporters would commence nation-wide stir of courting arrest till January 05, 2012, in the cause of a strong Lokpal body. (ANI)