Mumbai: A PIL has urged the Bombay high court to urgently regulate the “alarming and dangerous” trend of using heavy machines such as earthmovers at public events and election rallies.
“People are often found climbing on top of JCB loaders without any safety gear such as helmets, jackets, or belts, putting their and others’ lives at significant risk,” the petition by Aparna Adhav, a 44-year-old law student and social worker from Pune, said.
She submitted photographs and video links showing the use of earthmoving machines to shower flowers at rallies of former chief minister Eknath Shinde, activist Manoj Jarange, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, MNS chief Raj Thackeray, Shiv Sena MLA Suhas Kande, and BJP’s Bharat Gogawale and Shaina NC. At some of the rallies, there was a bulldozer.
Adhav’s petition said individuals who climb atop loaders without protective gear or minimal safety precautions may suffer permanent injuries and may even die due to falls from a height. She cited the high court Aug 2014 order that directed the state to instruct dahi handi organisers to provide helmets and safety belts to govindas and cushion layers at the venue.
Adhav sought directions from the high court to the Election Commission of India and the state to issue “comprehensive safety guidelines and protocols for the use of JCBs or any other heavy machinery at all future election campaigns, rallies, and public events”.
As interim relief, she sough the prohibition of the use of heavy machinery.
On Monday, her advocate, Jatin Adhav, mentioned the PIL before Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, who posted the hearing on Jan 9.
