No stay on Dayashankar’s arrest; HC seeks info from state

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has directed the state counsel to file a counter affidavit in the writ petition filed by expelled BJP leader Dayashankar Singh, challenging the FIR lodged against him here for allegedly using objectionable language against BSP chief Mayawati. He has also sought direction for stay on his arrest in this case.

The division bench of justice Ajai Lamba and Justice Ravindra Nath Mishra-II, however, did not pass any order regarding stay on the petitioner’s arrest.

Petitioner’s counsel submitted that the statement of the petitioner was only in the context of the actions of BSP leader Mayawati and not against her. It was submitted that the petitioner had already apologised for the statement.

The state counsel, however, contended that custodial interrogation of the petitioner was required in this case, to which the court said the state counsel required to file a reply along with offending material that was the subject matter of the impugned FIR. The court also said the counsel for the petitioner needed to address the court regarding the plea that the case was covered by judgements of the Supreme Court for quashing of the impugned FIR.

“The court will finally decide the petition on August 8 after getting the state government’s reply on the issue,” said Singh’s counsel Dilip Srivastava.