The Allahabad High Court today ordered the Uttar Pradesh police to remove hoardings displaying photographs of those accused of destroying public property amidst anti-CAA protests held in the state last December. .The Court has ordered,."... the District Magistrate, Lucknow and the Commissioner of Police, Lucknow Commissionerate, Lucknow are directed to remove the banners from the road side forthwith. The State of Uttar Pradesh is directed not to place such banners on road side containing personal data of individuals without having authority of law."Allahabad High Court.The Bench of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Ramesh Sinha had taken up the matter suo motu on Sunday morning, when the Court pulled up the state authorities for putting up the hoardings. .Additional Advocate General Neeraj Tripathi appeared for the State in the morning. The Court, thereafter, directed the State to report back to Court at 3 pm the same day..The Bench reserved orders in the matter following the afternoon hearing. Advocate General Raghvendra Singh had argued that the High Court Bench had no jurisdiction to take up this matter suo motu, given that the posters were displayed in Lucknow. .Chief Justice Mathur, however, responded that the High Court has jurisdiction over matters concerning the entire state..The Advocate General had also argued that the hoardings were put to deter other people from doing similar acts and to maintain strict law and order. He further argued that the PIL is meant for law followers and not lawbreakers..The banners in question had displayed pictures of accused who had allegedly caused damage to public property during the anti-CAA-NRC protests that took place on December 19, 2019..The personal details of over 50 accused, mentioning that they are "Joint and Severally" liable to pay Rs. 64,37,637/- to the government were thereby exhibited..[Read the Order]
