Mumbai: Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde, the son of Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, has tendered an unconditional apology for violating the permissible noise level during a programme held in Ambarnath in May this year. On Friday, Shinde filed an affidavit before the Bombay high court, wherein he stated that every year in May he organises a Shiv Mahotsav in the Ambernath Shiv temple. He took every steps to conserve the environment at Ambarnath and he had no intention of breaching the HC order against noise pollution.
A division bench comprising of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice S.K. Shinde was hearing a petition filed by the Hirali Foundation, a NGO, alleging that Shinde was the main organiser of the Shiv Mandir festival. It was alleged that this year organisers had played loud speakers blaring till after 10 pm. The petition also sought action against Shinde. At the last hearing, the HC had asked Shinde, “how a MP can violate noise pollution rules, which have been framed by the central government.” Further, the court also issued a show cause notice to Shinde and asked him to file an affidavit.
Accordingly, Shinde filed an affidavit on Friday, in which he stated that he has been organising the festival at Ambarnath Shiv Mandir for many years. “Our main motto is to attract tourists and enhancing environment around the temple. Last year, we planted one lakh trees around the area and did beautification of the temple and its surrounding. I care for environment conservation and always take efforts to do the same, therefore I have no intention to breach environmental laws or high court orders.”
