The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has mandated the city’s police commissioner to promptly determine the need for protective measures for Anil Wadapalliwar, a social activist who challenged the Maharashtra government’s freebie distributions under schemes like the Ladki Bahin Yojana. This direction was issued by a division bench comprising Justices Vinay Joshi and Abhay Mantri on Tuesday.
Wadapalliwar’s concerns stem from his filing of a public interest litigation (PIL) that contests the legality of what he describes as “unrestricted freebies and unregulated and irrational doles” dispensed by the state government to certain segments of the population. His petition argues that such distributions not only infringe on fundamental rights but also impose undue financial strains on the state’s budget and, consequently, on legitimate taxpayers.
The activist has expressed fears for his personal safety and that of his family, citing adverse reactions from various societal groups and negative mentions at political events. Despite applying twice for police protection, Wadapalliwar pointed out that no decision has been forthcoming.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the High Court emphasized that the Commissioner of Police should have diligently reviewed the applications and made appropriate decisions as allowed by the law. The court reiterated that the safety and liberty of individuals are protected under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, recognizing these rights as fundamental.
