UP government to challenge High Cout's verdict on 'recovery' hoarding in Supreme Court

Allahabad : In a major setback to Yogi Adityanath's government, the Allahabad High Court on Monday asked them to immediately remove the hoardings carrying names, addresses and photographs of anti-CAA protesters against whom the recovery notice was issued.

The High Court termed Uttar Pradesh government's action an "unwarranted interference in the privacy of people". 

"The same hence is in violation of the Article 21 of the Constitution, which clearly provides that no person shall be deprived of his life and personal liberty except according to the procedure established by law," a division bench of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Ramesh Sinha said.

Though HC ordered “immediate” removal of hoardings, the Lucknow administration had not taken them off till late Monday evening. 

ANI quoted government sources as saying that it might challenge the HC order in Supreme Court. When asked why the hoardings had not been removed despite HC order, a government spokesperson told TOI it was yet to receive a copy of the order. "Besides, HC has given time till March 16 for compliance. The government will take a call on the next course of action after Holi," he said.

In its order, while admitting that the state can always take necessary steps to ensure law and order, the HC said, "But that cannot be by violating fundamental rights of people."

Rejecting the government’s pleas that the purpose of putting the hoardings was only to deter people from participating in illegal activities, the bench said, “The advocate general failed to satisfy us as to why the personal data of a few persons have been placed on banners in UP.”