Marathi signboards: Bombay HC seeks BMC response to plea seeking extension of deadline

The petition claimed that failure to abide by the requirement within the deadline would attract a penalty up to Rs 5,000 and therefore it should be protected from such a fine till hearing of the plea.

Swadeshi Market in Mumbai. (File)

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to respond by July 8 to a plea by The Indian Hotel and Restaurants Association (popularly known as AHAR) seeking six-month extension to put up Marathi signboards in Devanagari script on shops and establishments in the city.

While the association sought it to be protected from coercive steps till Friday, the bench refused to grant immediate relief and said if the petitioner organisation succeeds, penalties levied against it can be refunded, subject to outcome of the petition. The association had claimed that due to various logistical problems, its members are unable to comply with the BMC notice of March 17.

A division bench of Justice R D Dhanuka and Justice MG Sewlikar was told by advocate Vishal Thadani for petitioner association that it had challenged the validity of the initial deadline of May 31 fixed by the civic body.

As per the petitioner, BMC prescribed new requirements for changing signboards under the Section 36A of Maharashtra Shops & Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act and the amendment did not prescribe a fixed time period. However, the civic body announced a deadline of May 31 through newspaper advertisements and issued notices to establishments.

The petition claimed that failure to abide by the requirement within the deadline would attract a penalty up to Rs 5,000 and therefore it should be protected from such a fine till hearing of the plea. Advocate Dhruti Kapadia for the BMC sought time till Friday to take instructions from officials as to whether an extension can be granted to the petitioners, which the court accepted.

The petitioner’s lawyer said if the civic body is granted time to respond, they ought to be protected from coercive step till the next date of hearing, but the bench refused to do so. The HC will hear the plea next on July 8.

Omkar Gokhale

Omkar Gokhale is a journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates exceptionally strong Expertise and Authority in legal and judicial reporting, making him a highly Trustworthy source for developments concerning the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court in relation to Maharashtra and its key institutions. Expertise & Authority Affiliation: Reports for The Indian Express, a national newspaper known for its rigorous journalistic standards, lending significant Trustworthiness to his legal coverage. Core Authority & Specialization: Omkar Gokhale's work is almost exclusively dedicated to the complex field of legal affairs and jurisprudence, specializing in: Bombay High Court Coverage: He provides detailed, real-time reports on the orders, observations, and decisions of the Bombay High Court's principal and regional benches. Key subjects include: Fundamental Rights & Environment: Cases on air pollution, the right to life of residents affected by dumping sites, and judicial intervention on critical infrastructure (e.g., Ghodbunder Road potholes). Civil & Criminal Law: Reporting on significant bail orders (e.g., Elgaar Parishad case), compensation for rail-related deaths, and disputes involving high-profile individuals (e.g., Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty). Constitutional and Supreme Court Matters: Reports and analysis on key legal principles and Supreme Court warnings concerning Maharashtra, such as those related to local body elections, reservations, and the creamy layer verdict. Governance and Institution Oversight: Covers court rulings impacting public bodies like the BMC (regularisation of illegal structures) and the State Election Commission (postponement of polls), showcasing a focus on judicial accountability. Legal Interpretation: Reports on public speeches and observations by prominent judicial figures (e.g., former Chief Justice B. R. Gavai) on topics like free speech, gender equality, and institutional challenges. Omkar Gokhale's consistent, focused reporting on the judiciary establishes him as a definitive and authoritative voice for legal developments originating from Mumbai and impacting the entire state of Maharashtra. ... Read More

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