Now Reading: Bombay HC judge recuses from Maharashtra security law challenge
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Bombay HC judge recuses from Maharashtra security law challenge
A Bombay High Court judge recused himself from hearing a challenge to the constitutional validity of the Maharashtra Special Public Security Act, 2025. Justice Gautam A Ankhad withdrew from the bench when…
The Story in Brief
A Bombay High Court judge recused himself from hearing a challenge to the constitutional validity of the Maharashtra Special Public Security Act, 2025. Justice Gautam A Ankhad withdrew from the bench when the petitions by the Congress, CPI, and AITUC came up for hearing on Monday. No reason was given. The bench led by Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge will now assign the case to another division bench.
The law, passed by the state assembly in July 2025 and signed by the President in December, aims to curb Left Wing Extremism. Petitioners argue it gives the government sweeping powers to ban organisations, seize property, and silence dissent without adequate notice or judicial oversight. The Maharashtra government has called the petitions “frivolous” and urged their dismissal.
The Indian Opinion
The first instinct is to see the judge’s recusal as a sign something is wrong with the Maharashtra Special Public Security Act. That is a leap. Judges recuse for many personal or procedural reasons. The real test is what the next bench does. The petitioners argue the law’s vague wording can be used against any dissent. The government insists it is meant for Left Wing extremism and calls the challenge frivolous. Watch whether the next bench grants a stay on coercive action, that will show if the court sees a prima facie case.
Sources (2): indiatoday.in, deccanchronicle.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
