Supreme Court Says High Courts Cannot Interfere with Municipal Fiscal Policy Through PILs

The Supreme Court has ruled that High Courts cannot question municipal fiscal or economic policies, such as property tax revisions, through PILs unless they are unconstitutional or arbitrary. 

Setting aside a Bombay High Court ruling that quashed Akola Municipal Corporation’s property tax revision, the Court held that municipalities need financial autonomy to function effectively. 

It criticised the High Court for overstepping its judicial review limits and noted that the petitioner, a corporator, had bypassed statutory remedies. 

The Court restored the Corporation’s resolutions, emphasising that tax updates after 16 years were necessary for public welfare.