As many as 53 people, who were served recovery notices to the tune of over Rs 1.41 crore for allegedly damaging government properties in Lucknow, can breathe easy for a while as the order has been put “on hold” in view of the COVID-19-induced lockdown.
Violent protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) broke out in the Uttar Pradesh capital on 19 December last year and government properties were damaged in Khadra, Parivartan Chowk, Thakurganj and Kaiserbagh areas. There was brick-batting and several vehicles were also vandalised.
Taking note of this, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had asked officials to analyse the damages and realise penalty from those involved in the acts.
"The process to recover damages and of attaching properties of those involved in the state capital is on hold as only essential activities are going on. Once, the lockdown is over, action will certainly be taken," Lucknow District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash told PTI.
The administration had served notices to 53 persons on the basis of police reports, and the deadline for recovery was first week of April, after which the process of attachment of properties was to start.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a nationwide lockdown was imposed for 21 days from 25 March to prevent the spread of the disease. It was extended to 3 May by the central government.
As per details, in the Khadra area, 13 people were identified and loss of property was estimated at Rs 21,76,000, while in Parivartan Chowk, 24 people were identified and loss was estimated at Rs 69,65,000.
In the Thakurganj area, 10 people were identified and the loss was estimated at Rs 47,85,800, while in Kaiserbagh six people were identified and the estimated loss there was Rs 1,75,000.
All these 53 persons were served recovery notices by the administration and were asked to deposit the amount or face further action.
The administration had put up several hoardings across Lucknow identifying those accused of violence during the protests.
Allahabad HC on the Putting Up of Posters
The Allahabad High Court, however, ordered the removal of posters put up by the Uttar Pradesh government in Lucknow that have the information and photographs of alleged ‘vandals’, and directed the district magistrate and divisional commissioner to get the posters and hoardings removed.
It had observed that putting up the posters was "unwarranted interference in the privacy of people".
The Supreme Court too had questioned the powers of the Uttar Pradesh government to put up roadside posters of those accused of vandalism, and refused to interfere with the high court's order to take them down.
The apex court had told the state government that there was no law as of now to let it put up hoardings of those accused of vandalism.
The top court was hearing an appeal filed by the Uttar Pradesh government challenging the 9 March order of the Allahabad High Court that directed the state administration to remove the posters.
The hoardings can still be seen on the streets of the city.
(This story has been edited for clarity.)
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