Allahabad HC order tomorrow on UP's 'name and shame' hoardings
The Allahabad High Court on Sunday pulled up the Uttar Pradesh government for installing hoardings with the names, photos, and addresses of anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protesters. The court, however, reserved its order for 2 pm on Monday. The hoardings—put up at prominent intersections in Lucknow—urge those named to pay for damage to public property during December's violent protests. Here are more details.
Taking suo motu cognizance of the matter, Allahabad HC bench comprising Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Ramesh Sinha held a special sitting at 10 am, LiveLaw reported. The bench said the action of installing hoardings was "highly unjust" and an "encroachment" of personal liberty. The bench listed the matter for further hearing at 3 pm and "hoped" the hoardings would be removed.
At 3 pm, the Attorney General—appearing for the UP government—told the court that it had no jurisdiction as the hoardings were in Lucknow. The court, however, contended that it had jurisdiction over matters concerning the entire state, Bar & Bench reported. The AG further argued that PILs are not meant for lawbreakers. The court will deliver its order at 2 pm on Monday.
On Thursday, the UP government put up hoardings of those accused of vandalism during CAA protests on December 19, 2019. The 53 accused—whose names, photos, and addresses have been made public—are asked to pay for the damage. Failure to do so would result in their properties being attached. Many of the accused have already been served property attachment notices individually.
An official had earlier told PTI that the hoardings were installed on the instruction of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The action is in line with Adityanath's talks of "revenge" against people responsible for damage to public property during CAA protests.
Retired IPS officer SR Darapuri, who appears on the hoardings, told News18, "I am going to file a defamation case in this regard... Whatever is being done is undemocratic, our crime is not yet proven in court and not even the charge sheet has been filed in this case." Another accused, Robin Verma, said, "If any untoward incident happens...Lucknow District Administration will be responsible."
Another face from the hoardings, activist-politician Sadaf Jafar, told PTI, "Legal issues cannot be brought into public like this. Our bail order says there is no adequate evidence against us." She asked, "Why are we being targeted like this?"
