Supreme Court Judge Justice Oka Expresses Displeasure Over Culture Of ‘Illegal Banners’

Illegal Banners

The Supreme Court Judge Justice Abhay Oka expressed his displeasure over the ongoing issue of illegal banners and the lack of discipline at a recent event in Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra.

Speaking at the inauguration of a new magistrate court in Thane district, Justice Oka highlighted several concerns, including the unapproved banners and unruly behavior by attendees.

Illegal Banners Draw Attention

Justice Oka raised concerns about the illegal banners displayed at the event. While initially impressed by the festive welcome, he soon realized that the banners violated a Bombay High Court ruling. “A Bombay High Court judgment mandates that no banners or hoardings should be displayed without prior authorization,” he pointed out.

Despite this ruling, the banners lacked the necessary permission numbers, making them illegal. He urged the local civic body to take swift action and remove such banners in the future.

Discipline At Judicial Events

During the unveiling of the plaque at the event, Justice Oka observed disturbing behavior among the crowd, particularly as several women were pushed and jostled. He expressed regret over the lack of decorum and reprimanded media representatives and other attendees for their actions. “This is not a political event or one involving actors. This is a function of the judiciary where discipline is a must,” he emphasized.

He further questioned whether media representatives should be invited to judicial events if such behavior continued, stressing that maintaining decorum was essential.

Call For Judicial Infrastructure Improvement

Justice Oka also raised concerns regarding the judicial infrastructure in Maharashtra. Drawing from his experience as the Chairman of the Infrastructure Committee of the Bombay High Court, he noted the delays and bureaucratic hurdles often encountered in judicial proposals. He highlighted a case where a proposal for a judicial administrative building was rejected despite its clear necessity. Moreover, despite a 2018 Bombay High Court order to allocate 25 acres of land for a new Mumbai High Court building, only 4-5 acres had been provided as of March 2025, signaling slow progress in the state’s judicial development.

Need For More Judges & Resources

During his address, Justice Oka welcomed the announcement by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde that 2,000 additional judicial posts had been created. However, he stressed that Maharashtra still faced a significant shortage of judges. Referring to a 2016 Supreme Court ruling, he pointed out that India should have 50 judges per 10 lakh people to ensure timely justice, while Maharashtra’s current ratio stood at just 21-22 judges per 10 lakh people. To address this issue, Justice Oka urged the state government to focus on increasing the number of judges, enhancing court infrastructure, and incorporating modern technology to streamline the justice process.

Key Figures In Attendance

The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court Justice Alok Aradhe, and Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik.

Justice Oka’s remarks underscored the need for reforms in both judicial infrastructure and discipline at events involving the judiciary, emphasizing that these changes are vital for ensuring swift and effective justice in Maharashtra.