No Law To Back State Action: SC Pulls Up UP Govt Over Name & Shame Anti-CAA Protesters Posters

Taking a strict course against Uttar Pradesh government¡¯s tactic to recover dues from alleged anti-CAA protesters by putting up name and shame horadings, the Supreme Court today rapped the state government over its actions.

The apex court told the Uttar Pradesh government that there is no law as of now to back its action of putting roadside posters of those accused of vandalism during the anti-CAA protests in Lucknow.

TOI

A vacation bench of Justices U U Lalit and Aniruddha Bose told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Uttar Pradesh, that it is a matter of "great importance".

The bench also asked Mehta whether the state government has the power to put such posters.

The Supreme Court, however, said there is no doubt that action should be taken against the rioters and they should be punished.

Mehta told the court that posters were put up as a "deterrent" and the hoardings only says the persons are liable to pay for their alleged acts during the violence.

The hearing in the matter is underway.

The top court is hearing an appeal filed by the Uttar Pradesh government challenging the March 9 order of the Allahabad High Court directing the state administration to remove posters of those accused of vandalism during the anti-CAA protests.

Earlier this week, the Allahabad High Court ordered Lucknow¡¯s District Magistrate and Commissioner of Police to immediately remove hoarding with photographs and addresses of alleged anti-CAA protestors, put up by the Uttar Pradesh government. The court said the state¡¯s action amounted to ¡°violation of Article 21 of Constitution¡± and ¡°amounts to unwarranted interference in privacy of people¡±.