On the Supreme Court's directive, Shiv Sena on Tuesday deposited exemplary damages of Rs 20 lakh for the loss suffered by Mumbai due to bandh called by them two years ago to protest against the Ghatkopar blast.

The apex court had on September 16 declined to grant any interim relief to Sena and BJP and directed them to deposit exemplary damages of Rs 20 lakh each within a week with Maharashtra government for the loss suffered to Mumbai for the bandh called by them in July 2003.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party said it would also deposit the amount within few days. Earlier, the apex court bench had said the matter would be listed after the money is paid and a copy of the receipt is placed before the court.

If the money is not deposited, the petition would stand dismissed, the court ruled. Condemning the bandh which has been banned by the apex court by a 1998 judgement, it had said, "We cannot shut our eyes unless the message goes to all concerned."

"A message should go that damages would be so deterrent that in future there is no violation of the court order," the bench had observed adding, "if someone violates the court order he must be ready to face the consequences".