Former Judges & Advocates have written to Supreme Court to take Suo Moto cognisance and take action against bulldozing of residences and alleged illegal detention and police violence protestors and keeping them in custody. in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
The letter petition, addressed to Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, states that instead of giving protestors an opportunity of being heard and engaging in peaceful protests, the state administration of Uttar Pradesh have “sanctioned taking violent action against such individuals” , reported Live Law.
According to UP police, around 300 people have so far been arrested in connection to protests against the remarks made against Prophet Muhammad. The letter also addresses the video that surfaced on social media platform where the police is seen thrashing young men with lathis; videos of house demolition without notice and protestors from minority community beaten by police.
The letter reads “Such a brutal clampdown by a ruling administration is an unacceptable subversion of the rule of law and a violation of the rights of citizens, and makes a mockery of the Constitution and fundamental rights guaranteed by the State. The coordinated manner in which the police and development authorities have acted lead to the clear conclusion that demolitions are a form of collective extra judicial punishment, attributable to a state policy which is illegal”.
The letter states that the Apex court had taken suo moto cognisance of issues relating to migrant workers and Pegasus cases, it urged the Supreme court to do the same, so that law and order in UP is maintained.
Source: Live Law
