On Wednesday, April 7, the Bombay High Court slamming the Maharashtra government along with the civic body of Mumbai, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), stated that the authorities should take appropriate steps to curb the "menace of spitting" by people in public places.
Meanwhile, the court noted that when the provisions of the Bombay Police Act permits authorities to levy a fine of INR 1,200 on a person caught spitting, the authorities were only charging INR 200.
Moreover, the HC asked the authorities to increase the amount of fine collected from such offenders. In addition, the court ruled that the government and the municipality had failed to curb the menace of spitting in public places due to this softening stance. It has also directed the municipal corporation, police and the state government to create awareness among the people about spitting in public places.
According to sources, the public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the HC by Armin Bandrawala seeking action against these citizens. The petitioner further informed the bench that despite the provision in the law to impose severe fines on citizens on the streets, they are being fined only INR 200.
A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice G S Kulkarni suggested that mass campaigns be undertaken to sensitise people against spitting. Furthermore, the bench has posted the plea for further hearing on April 21.
In the past, Maharashtra Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope had informed that the decision to penalize people for spitting has been taken in the public interest as spitting in public places contributes to spreading infections and deadly diseases. With the COVID-19 pandemic looming over us, which can be transmitted, the state government has made it a punishable offence.
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