The Bombay High Court held that a public interest litigation alleging violation of rules in the appointment of Rakesh Maria and Vijay Kamble as the police commissioners of Mumbai and Thane, respectively, was not maintainable.
Following which, petitioner Hemant Patil pleaded that he be allowed to withdraw it. The division bench headed by Justice Anoop Mohota allowed the withdrawal.
The government had opposed the PIL saying that no public interest was involved in the case. It cited earlier High Court judgements to show that only the aggrieved persons (other officers) can file a petition in such service-related matters.
The PIL alleged that the government violated rules to promote Javed Ahmed as the director general of police (home guards) and demanded a stay to the appointment of Maria and Kamble.
It also said that after Maria’s appointment as the Mumbai police commissioner, both Javed and Kamble had protested as they were reportedly in the race for the coveted post.
