"Placement Of Statues & Free Flow Of Traffic Are Matters Looked Into By State": Rajasthan HC Disposes PIL For Removal Of BR Ambedkar Statue

The court opined that the petitioners have chosen only a particular spot in the city rather than coming out with general prayer for removal of unauthorised statues in the city. The court remarked that the petition appears to be only for personal interest, not for public interest.

Further, the court directed the Local Body concerned to decide the issue as soon as possible.

Acting Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Sameer Jain, while disposing the petition, observed,

"The Local Body concerned should decide the issue as soon as possible. The placement of the statue and free flow of the traffic both are matters, which can be looked into by the authorities and not by the Court. In view of above, we direct the respondent-Municipal Corporation, Jaipur to examine the whole matter afresh after going through the material on record and take appropriate decision in accordance with law as early as possible."

Essentially, the petitioners stated that the statue was installed by unknown persons and despite representations made, the same has not been removed, which is causing obstruction to access to the colony where the petitioners reside. It was further submitted that earlier petition was filed, which was disposed off with direction to consider the representation followed by contempt petition, but till date, no concrete steps have been taken by Municipal Corporation, Jaipur, though a meeting was convened on 14.10.2019.

Adv. Prem Shanker Sharma appeared on behalf of the petitioners.

Case Title: Pradeep Kumar Sharma & Anr. v. Municipal Corporation, Jaipur

Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Raj) 198