A petition has been filed before the Allahabad High Court, challenging the recently passed Uttar Pradesh Recovery of Damages to Private and Public Property Ordinance, 2020.
The Ordinance envisions the setting up of Claims Tribunals, which will adjudicate on complaints of damage to both public and private property caused during riots. Section 19(2) of the Ordinance states once a Claims Tribunal passes an order for recovery of damages, the name, address and photograph of the person found responsible shall be published.
The Uttar Pradesh government moved to pass the Ordinance just a week after the Allahabad High Court had pulled up the authorities for displaying banners bearing the names and photographs of persons alleged to have caused damage to property during anti-CAA protests in Lucknow.
Aggrieved by the High Court order, the government moved the Supreme Court shortly thereafter. While the Apex Court referred issues related to the matter to a larger bench, it did not stay the Allahabad High Court’s order.
