JAGRUK NAGRIK SANGHATANA AND ORS vs THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THRU THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND ORS

Judgment text excerpt

Ajit Pathrikar PIL-91-2023-FC IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION NO. 91 OF 2023 Jagruk Nagrik Sanghatana and Others ….Petitioners : Versus : The State of Maharashtra and Others ….Respondents Ms. Shriya Awale (Through VC), for the Petitioners. Mr. Sugandh Deshmukh with Mr. Yatin Malvankar, Mr. Irvin D’souza, Mr. Aniket Kanawade & Mr. Vaibhav Thorve, for Respondent No. 6. Mr. O.A. Chandurkar, Additional Government Pleader with Ms. R. A. Salunkhe, AGP for Respondent No. 1-State. Mr. Deepak R. More with Mr. Shivram A. Gawade, for Respondent No. 4. Ms. A.R.S. Baxi, for the Respondent No. 5. Mr. Akshay Naidu with Ms. Nidhi Chauhan i/b Mr. Vishwanath Patil, for Respondent No. 7. CORAM : ALOK ARADHE, CJ. & SANDEEP V. MARNE, J. Reserved on : 21 AUGUST 2025. Pronounced on : 26 AUGUST 2025. Page No.1 of 22 26 August 2025 Ajit Pathrikar PIL-91-2023-FC JUDGMENT :- (Per Sandeep V. Marne, J.) 1) The petition is filed in Public Interest Litigation seeking directions against the three local authorities viz. Pune Municipal Corporation, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation and Pimpri Chinchwad New Town Development Authority to remove illegally erected telecommunication towers with multiple antennas at the premises of Petitioners, as well as at various locations indicated in the petition. Petition also prays for a direction against the Department of Telecommunications (“DoT”) as well as the State Government for creation of Grievance Redressal Committees at State, District and Local levels as per DOT guidelines dated 1 August 2013. The petition also seeks a direction for holding public hearings before erecting of telecommunication towers in a particular area. 2) Jagruk Nagrik Sanghatana is claimed to have been formed by Petiti