Keep Gaurav Yatra free from government programmes, Rajasthan HC tells BJP

The Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday directed the BJP to keep its ongoing Gaurav Yatra free from government programmes.

Justice G.R. Moolchandani issued the order while hearing a PIL that alleged misuse of government machinery for the yatra being taken out under the leadership of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

The high court also said that various programmes which were being organised in the name of the state government during the yatra should be stopped.

The court observed that if during the yatra -- a political event -- the Chief Minister inaugurates a public function, the impression would be glorification of a political party. "Keeping in view the principles laid down in two decisions of the Supreme Court, we declare that no state function should be organised during the Gaurav Yatra," said the court.

On August 10, Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court Pradeep Nandrajog had issued notice to the Bharatiya Janata Party to submit the expense details of the yatra.

The party has submitted the report placing the expenses at Rs 1.8 crore.

On August 27, Justice Nandrajog had reserved his judgement after the final arguments concluded.

The PIL was filed by advocate Vibhuti Bhushan Sharma.

--IANS

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