[BREAKING] Allahabad HC asks Uttar Pradesh authorities to explain notices issued to farmers with tractors seeking "exorbitant" personal bonds

The Allahabad High Court has sought an explanation from the Uttar Pradesh government authorities over notices issued by District authorities to various farmers owning tractors in Sitapur district demanding exorbitant personal bonds ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 10 lakhs. .A Division Bench of Justices Ramesh Sinha and Rajeev Singh passed the order on Monday, following an urgent plea moved by social activist Arundhati Dhuru. ."Considering the averments made in the present writ petition and notices, which have been issued to the farmers, who are tractor owners, we deem it appropriate to call instructions from the State authorities as to under what circumstances such an exorbitant amount of personal bond and two sureties have been asked to furnish to them," the High Court said..The petitioner told the Court that various notices have been passed from January 19 onwards by the District administration of Sitapur against farmers, including lady farmers, under Section 111 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). .Section 111, CrPC concerns orders passed by the a magistrate in relation to Sections 107-109 of the CrPC, which in turn deal with measures that may be taken to keep the peace, to ensure good behaviour from persons disseminating seditious matters and to ensure good behaviour from habitual offenders..The High Court was told that the Section 111, CrPC notices were causing financial hardship to the farmers, who were also being prevented from moving freely as the police had surrounded their dwelling places. .The notices issued called on the farmers to furnish personal bonds and sureties on the apprehension that they would violate law and order in the district amid the farmers' protests. .The petitioner argued that these notices were baseless and took away the fundamental right of the farmers since they were not being allowed to come out of their houses. Further, it was contended that such exorbitant amounts cannot be sought from poor farmers merely on the basis of reports by the local police and without providing farmers an opportunity of hearing. .The Court has now asked the State to obtain instructions from the District Magistrate, Sitapur in the matter and posted the matter for further hearing on February 2. .Senior Counsel IB Singh, assisted by Advocate Veena Rajesh, appeared for the petitioner. AGA Anurag Verma, holding the brief of AAG Vinod Kumar Shahi, appeared for the State authorities. .[Read Order]