Taking suo motu cognisance of a mid-day report highlighting how BEST bus routes had to be shifted owing to hawkers taking over a lane opposite Borivli railway station, the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission has issued summons to the Mumbai police commissioner, additional commissioner (transport department) and the BEST general manager. A division bench headed by Justice K K Tated, chairperson of the commission, and panel member M A Sayeed came down heavily on the civic administration for allowing the encroachment to go unchecked.

The notice issued by the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission to the authorities reads, “Whereas commission has taken suo-motu cognisance in respect to news in English newspaper mid-day, regarding ‘The Borivli hawkers’ ‘market’ has killed several BEST services’ against you for having failed to take necessary action in respect to its grievance, you are hereby summoned to appear before the commission. You are further directed to submit your response in writing with relevant documents upon which you intend to rely in respect to your defence.”