**Bombay High Court Faces Challenges with Maharashtra Election Petitions**
The Bombay High Court is currently grappling with a surge of election petitions related to the local body elections in Maharashtra, as petitioners increasingly turn to the Supreme Court for resolution. The court has expressed its difficulty in managing the influx of petitions, noting that new pleas are being filed daily. A bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam A Ankhad is reviewing over 70 petitions from across the state, addressing various concerns such as ward delimitation, reservation issues, and the exclusion of individuals from the voter list for the upcoming elections.
Most of the petitions pertain to council and Panchayat elections, with only a few related to municipal corporations. To streamline the process, the bench has instructed that the petitions be categorized by topic, starting with the issue of reservations. Advocate Anil Anturkar, representing one of the petitioners, highlighted that the Supreme Court is set to address the reservation issue exceeding 50 percent on Friday and requested that the High Court postpone its hearing until after the Supreme Court’s decision.
The bench reviewed a brief order from the Supreme Court, which stated that the matter is adjourned until November 28. The judges acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the statements made in the Supreme Court and decided to proceed with their hearing. Advocate Devdut Palodkar, representing another petitioner, mentioned that his petition was dismissed by the Supreme Court due to the ongoing High Court proceedings.
The bench expressed frustration over the situation, stating, “Everyone rushes to the Supreme Court claiming the High Court is not hearing their cases, yet petitions continue to be filed. How much can we hear? Do you understand the difficulty now?” They noted that the parties had been aware of the upcoming elections for a year, yet petitions are being submitted at the last minute, complicating the response process for authorities.
Government Pleader Neha Bhide, representing the Maharashtra government, submitted responses opposing the petitions, citing various legal precedents that suggest the court cannot entertain cases once the election schedule has been published. The State Election Commission has yet to provide its responses.
The bench will continue its hearings on Friday, as elections for 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats are scheduled for December 2, aiming to elect 6,859 members and 288 presidents across the state. The election schedule for 29 municipal corporations, 32 zilla parishads, and 336 panchayat samitis is still pending.
Earlier this month, the bench dismissed several petitions seeking the inclusion of names in the voters’ list, emphasizing that such requests cannot be entertained after the election notification has been issued.
**FAQ**
**Q: What issues are being raised in the election petitions in Maharashtra?**
A: The petitions address concerns such as ward delimitation, reservation of seats, and the exclusion of individuals from the voter list for the upcoming local body elections.
