New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday (October 22) said it would hear on Wednesday a plea filed by three accused in the incident of Bahraich communal violence against demolition notices issued to them by the Uttar Pradesh government.
22-year-old Ram Gopal Mishra lost his life by gunshot injuries following communal violence in Maharajganj, Bahraich following an inter-faith dispute over playing of loud music. Petitioners before the top court are accused of rioting. The state government issued demolition notices to certain persons who are named in the First Information Report (FIR) in connection with the communal violence.
Matter was mentioned before bench seeking urgent hearing
The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan by senior advocate CU Singh for urgent hearing.
Singh told the bench that the three have received demolition notices and they were given only three days of time by the state government to respond to the notices. He, while seeking urgent hearing of the plea, submitted that the father and brothers of one of the petitioners have surrendered and the notices by the state government were purportedly issued on October 17 and pasted in the evening of October 18.
High Court is seized of the matter and it has given 15 days’ time to respond to the notice, Uttar Pradesh told apex court
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) KM Nataraj, who represented the Uttar Pradesh government, told the bench that the Allahabad High Court is seized of the matter and it has given 15 days’ time to respond to the notice.
The counsel representing the petitioners said that no protection has been granted by the High Court.
“If they (Uttar Pradesh government) want to take risk of flouting our order, it’s their choice,” the bench said and asked Kamraj not to take any action till Wednesday.
Apex court earlier stayed demolition of properties of accused of crimes across the country
The top court earlier, while hearing a bunch of petitions against bulldozer action, stayed the demolition of properties of accused of crimes and directed authorities not to demolish such properties across the country without its permission. The court, however, had said that this order will not be applicable to unauthorised structures on public roads, public spaces, footpaths etc. The top court, which said that it would issue guidelines on demolition action without following the due procedure of law, has reserved its verdict on the pleas against bulldozer action.
