Badlapur sexual assault HC restrains parties from going ahead with protest

The Bombay High Court on Friday issued a restraining order against political parties and individuals from proceeding with a Maharashtra bandh scheduled for August 24, or any future date, in response to the Badlapur school sexual assault incident.

The court's decision comes as a significant blow to the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which had called for a statewide shutdown to protest the alleged sexual assault of two kindergarten girls in Thane district.

In a detailed order, the division bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar emphasised the potential paralysis of normal life that such a bandh would cause. The court stated: "We are, prima facie, convinced that the call given by the political parties is a call to observe bandh tomorrow in the entire state of Maharashtra, which means a call for cessation of all kinds of activities which will result in the life of the state coming to a halt."