Court Upholds Memorial for Shiv Sena Founder Bal Thackeray

The Bombay High Court dismissed pleas against the Maharashtra government's decision to transform the Mayor's bungalow into a memorial for Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. The court, led by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne, concluded that there were no valid grounds to dispute this policy move.

Citing that the court should not act as an appellate authority over planning decisions, unless there is a gross violation, the bench stated that the conversion was merely a change in the building's label from 'Mayor's Bungalow' to 'Balasaheb Thackeray Rashtriya Smarak'.

The court observed that the memorial's construction is nearly complete, ensuring that the bungalow's grand structure and its heritage remain intact. Additionally, the court upheld the inclusion of Shiv Sena members in the Board of Trustees, dismissing claims of arbitrariness.

(With inputs from agencies.)