HC raps govt official for not appearing in plastic flags case

The Bombay High Court today came down heavily on the additional chief secretary of state Home department for failing to appear before it and filing an affidavit in reply to a PIL seeking implementation of a 2007 government order banning use of plastic national flags.
A division bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar and A P Bhangale had last week directed the additional chief secretary to appear before it today and also file his affidavit.
However, the bench was today informed by government lawyer Abhinandan Vagyani that the additional chief secretary could not file his affidavit and has also sought exemption from appearing before court.

"The joint secretary is present in court and the additional chief secretary has conveyed his apologies," Vagyani told the court.
Irked with this, Justice Khanwilkar said, "We do not ask him (additional chief secretary) to remain present every time. There is something amiss in this matter that is why we directed for his appearance. How can he not comply with the court order? What is this attitude?"
Warning to issue a notice against the additional chief secretary, the court said, "We want him here tomorrow. Sitting in office and sending apology is not enough. Who needs an apology when court order is not being complied with."

Refusing to accept the exemption plea, the court directed the additional chief secretary to remain present in court tomorrow.
The court was hearing a PIL filed by Hindu Janjagruti Samiti seeking strict implementation of the government resolution (GR), banning the sale of plastic national flags.
According to the petition, the government had on August 27, 2007 issued the GR imposing a complete ban on the sale and use of plastic national flags as they are non-compostable. The petitioner said it was an insult to the national flag as its plastic variants lay strewn on streets after Independence Day and Republic Day.