Prophet Row: Former Judges & Advocates Write To Supreme Court For Suo Moto Action Against Bulldozing Of Residences, Alleged Illegal Detentions In UP

Former Judges and various Advocates have written to the Supreme Court urging it to take suo moto cognizance of various incidents in the State of Uttar Pradesh of illegal detention, bulldozing of residences and alleged police violence on protestors and those in police custody, following protests against remarks made by BJP spokespersons on the Prophet Mohammed.

The letter petition, addressed to Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, states that instead of giving protestors an opportunity of being heard and engaging in peaceful protests, the state administration of Uttar Pradesh have "sanctioned taking violent action against such individuals."

"The Chief Minister has reportedly officially exhorted officials "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." He has further directed that the National Security Act, 1980, and the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986, be invoked against those found guilty of unlawful protests. It is these remarks that have emboldened the police to brutally and unlawfully torture protestors," the letter petition reads.

Furthermore, it has been stated that the UP police have arrested more than 300 persons and registered FIRs against protesting citizens.

The letter plea further avers that various videos have surfaced wherein it is seen that young men in police custody are being beaten with lathis, houses of protestors are being demolished without notice and protestors from the minority Muslim community are being chased and beaten by the police.

"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. The coordinated manner in which the police and development authorities have acted lead to the clear conclusion that demolitions are a form of collective extra judicial punishment, attributable to a state policy which is illegal," it reads.

Further stating that the Apex Court had taken suo motu actions recently on the issues of migrant workers and Pegasus case, the letter plea urges the Supreme Court to take suo motu action to arrest the deteriorating law and order situation in State of Uttar Pradesh. 

The letter petition has been written by the following:

- Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy, Former Judge, Supreme Court

- Justice V. Gopala Gowda, Former Judge, Supreme Court

- Justice A.K. Ganguly, Former Judge, Supreme Court

- Justice A P Shah, Former Chief Justice, Delhi High Court

- Justice K Chandru, Former Judge, Madras High Court

- Justice Mohammed Anwar, Former Judge, Karnataka High Court

- Shanti Bhushan, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court

- Indira Jaisingh, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court

- Chander Uday Singh, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court

- Sriram Panchu, Senior Advocate, Madras High Court

- Prashant Bhushan, Advocate, Supreme Court

- Anand Grover, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court

In related news, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind has also moved the Supreme Court seeking directions to the State of Uttar Pradesh to ensure that no further demolitions are carried out in the State without following due process.