The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea of Sri Ram Sene Chief Pramod Muthalik against a Bombay High Court decision upholding the order restraining him and his associates from entering the territory of Goa, saying they indulge in “moral policing”.
“The order might have been passed to maintain peace in Goa,” a bench comprising Chief Justice H.L. Dattu and Justice Amitava Roy said while rejecting Muthalik’s plea.
“Goa people will take care of their interest. What are you doing? You people are simply doing moral policing,” it said, adding that “Sri Ram Sene activists barge into a pub and beat up boys and girls.”
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“We are sorry for the time being. Come after six months,” it said.
Mr. Muthalik had moved the apex court challenging the order of the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court which on July 2 had refused to interfere with the prohibitory order imposed on him and his associates by the state police.
The right-wing leader had also questioned the prohibitory order passed under section 144 of the CrPC contending that it was illegal and repeatedly passed without giving him a hearing. He had sought ex-parte permission to visit Goa.
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Challenging the high court order, he had claimed that it was violation of his fundamental rights and that the HC order was clearly erred in law and in facts of the case.
His petition had said the repetitive prohibitory orders passed by the Goa government and district magistrates of South and North Goa are “illegal and without jurisdiction”.
The first order restraining Mr. Muthalik from entering the state was issued by the district magistrates of North Goa and South Goa on August 19, last year for 60 days. The orders were subsequently extended further.