Former SC, HC judges seek CJI’s intervention in UP demolitions
NEW DELHI: Six former Supreme Court and high court judges and six lawyers have written a letter to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana to urgently take suo motu cognisance of the Uttar Pradesh government’s clampdown on protesters over the remarks made against Prophet Muhammad.
Objecting to the manner in which police are seen detaining protestors and carrying out demolition of their properties, the letter said, “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.”
Three former Supreme Court judges – Justices B Sudershan Reddy, V Gopala Gowda and AK Ganguly have signed the letter along with former Delhi high court Chief Justice AP Shah and two former high court judges – Justices K Chandru (Madras high court) and Mohammad Anwar (Karnataka). Besides, the signatories include former Union Law Minister Shanti Bhushan, senior advocates Indira Jaising, Sriram Panchu, CU Singh, Anand Grover and Prashant Bhushan.
Making an urgent appeal to the CJI to take suo motu cognisance of the situation prevailing in Uttar Pradesh, the letter said, “Instead of giving protestors an opportunity of being heard and engaging in peaceful protests, the UP administration appears to have sanctioned taking violent action against such individuals.”
It stated that the chief minister has given orders “to take such action against those guilty that it sets an example so that no one commits a crime or takes law into their hands in future.” The letter pointed out that the National Security Act, 1980, and the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986 has been invoked against those found guilty of unlawful protests.
Letter comes day after Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind approached the Supreme Court for a stay on demolition of properties carried out by the UP government against those arrested for causing violent protests last week.