Do you know how big Maharashtra is, CJI Bobde asks, dismissing PIL citing Sushant Singh Rajput’s death to seek President’s rule

The Supreme Court Friday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to remove the Uddhav Thackeray-led government in Maharashtra and impose President's rule in the State.

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) S A Bobde told the petitioner that Court could not entertain such a petition. However, the petitioner as a citizen was free to approach the President, "but don't come here," CJI Bobde remarked.

Citing the instance of the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajpur and the demolition of a part of actor Kangana Ranaut's property, petitioner Vikram Gehlot argued that the law and order situation in the State had deteriorated. Every instance cited by the petitioner to show that rule of law is not being followed is only within Mumbai, CJI Bobde retorted.

"Do you know how big Maharashtra is?" he asked the petitioner.

The bench which also comprised Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian eventually dismissed the plea.