Anti-CAA Protests: SC asks UP govt not to act on earlier notices for recovering damages

The apex court asked the Uttar Pradesh government not to take action on earlier notices sent to the alleged protestors for recovering losses caused by damage to public property during the anti-CAA agitations in the state. It also said that all action should be taken in accordance with new rules.

New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure that it takes no action in pursuance of the notification issued regarding recovering losses caused by damage to public property during the anti-CAA agitations in the state. The apex court, however, stated that the state can take action as per the law and in accordance with new rules.

The bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah was hearing a plea filed by Nilofar Khan seeking quashing of notices sent to alleged protestors by the district administration for recovering losses caused by damage to public properties during the anti-CAA agitations in Uttar Pradesh and asked the state to respond to it. They asked the UP government not to take action as per the earlier notices as all action should be taken in accordance with new rules.

The bench also asked the UP government to file a counter-affidavit giving details of rules and tribunals constituted and posted the matter for further hearing on July 23.

Back in August 2020, the state government had set up two tribunals at Meerut and Lucknow to deal with cases regarding damage to public property by protestors and compensation for it. It had done so under the Uttar Pradesh Recovery of Damage to Public and Private Property Ordinance, 2020.

Several people, including prominent personalities like retired civil servants, were booked for damaging public properties while protesting against the CAA. The state had put up hoardings with their photographs and issued summons to them.