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PIL seeks direction to name Navi Mumbai airport after D B Patil ‘to avoid future unrest’, Bombay HC says it has no power to do so

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that ‘it has been assured that the airport will be named Loknete D B Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport’.

On October 3, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that "it has been assured that the airport will be named Loknete D B Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport". (File)On October 3, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that "it has been assured that the airport will be named Loknete D B Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport". (File)

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition seeking a direction for the Ministry of Civil Aviation to name Navi Mumbai airport after D B Patil, based on the Maharashtra Government’s proposal. The court noted that it has no powers to issue a direction to the ministry to take a decision on a proposal of the state government, which is only an expression of an intention.

A division bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam A Ankhad was hearing the petition, filed by Prakashjot Samajik Sanstha through its president Vikas Parshuram Patil, seeking the naming of Navi Mumbai Airport after “Loknete D B Patil”, who was a “highly influential and respected leader in Maharashtra”.

The petitioner submitted that the purpose behind the filing of the petition was “to avoid any future unrest” in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.

However, the bench noted, “To begin with, we would indicate that a writ court exercising powers under Article 226 of the Constitution of India shall have no powers to issue a direction to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to take a decision on the proposal posed by the State of Maharashtra.”

The bench also stated that in legal parlance, “a proposal is only an expression of an intention and the decision thereof can be taken as per the extensive regulations and statutory provisions.”

“This writ petition seeking mandamus to the Ministry of Civil Aviation does not lie also for the reason that the petitioner Sanstha has failed to demonstrate that it has a legally enforceable right in law and the corresponding duty upon the respondents are not being discharged by them. Thus, petition is dismissed,” the bench said in its order.
On October 3, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that “it has been assured that the airport will be named Loknete D B Patil Navi Mumbai International Airport” and that a proposal for it was recently presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “who has given a positive response”.
Modi inaugurated phase one of the airport on October 3 but flights are yet to start operations from there.

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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