SC issues notice on PIL seeking renaming 'Bombay HC' as 'Maharashtra HC'

The Supreme Court issued notice and sought response from the Central government and others, over a PIL filed by retired Labour court judge, VP Patil, seeking directions on renaming of Bombay High Court as the Maharashtra High court.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the Centre's response in a PIL filed by retired Labour court judge, VP Patil, seeking directions to change the name of 'Bombay High Court' to 'Maharashtra High Court'.

A bench of CJI SA Bobde, Justice SA Bopanna & Hrishikesh Roy took up for hearing.

The petition filed by retired Labour court judge, VP Patil said that the word "Maharashtra" denotes special significance in the life of a Maharashtrian and that its usage must also find expression in the name of the High Court as an expression of cultural and right to heritage as protected under Articles 19, 21, 29 of the Constitution of India.

The plea along with Maharashtra HC had sought directions even for the other High Courts in the country on renaming them as per the states they are located in.

Further, the retired judge had sought directions to the government "to take effective steps for implementation of Clause 4(1) of the Maharashtra Adaptation of Laws(State and Concurrent Subjects) order, 1960 for conservation and preservation of the distinct culture, heritage and traditions of the people of the State of Maharashtra".

Through Patil's PIL contended that the top court ought to consider, that the expression of regional and geographical identity forms part of freedom of speech and expression as guaranteed under Article 19 of the constitution. And thus, Maharashtra word while referring to the HC amounts to the fundamental right of the petitioner.

Asserting on the word 'Maharashtra', the plea says that it would also help people in taking pride and associating dignity to Maratha/Maharashtra, and Right to live with dignity under Right to life comes under Article 21 of the constitution.

"The High Court (Alteration of Names) Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Parliament of India for changing of the names of various High Courts in the country. For example, the bill sought the change of 'High Court of Judicature at Bombay' to 'High Court of Judicature at Mumbai' and similarly, change in the names of High Courts at Calcutta, Madras to Kolkata and Chennai," the PIL read.

"The change of name being a fundamental right of the Citizens of Maharashtra and in absence of legislative step, this Hon'ble Court may step in and fill the vacuum in the law," further read the PIL.