'No Law To Back State Action': Supreme Court Refers 'Name, Shame' Lucknow Poster Case To Larger Bench

The Supreme Court on Thursday said the Yogi Adityanath government's action of putting roadside posters of those accused of vandalism during the anti-CAA protests in Lucknow has no backing from the law. Saying that the matter is of ‘great importance’, the Supreme court, however said, the matter must be placed for detailed hearing before a three-judge bench. Posters had come up at major road crossings in Lucknow on the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. 

The apex court said there is no doubt that action should be taken against the rioters and they should be punished.

Earlier, the Allahabad High Court had ordered immediate removal of roadside posters in Lucknow with names and photos of those accused of vandalism during the anti-CAA protests, observing that the police action was an "unwarranted interference" in privacy of people.

It had also directed the district magistrate and the Lucknow police commissioner to submit a compliance report on or before March 16.

In its order, the high court had observed that action of the authorities was a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution under which no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.

"In entirety, we are having no doubt that the action of the state which is a subject matter of this public interest litigation is nothing but an unwarranted interference in privacy of people," the court had said.

In Lucknow, around 50 people were identified by police as alleged rioters and were served notices.  Activist-politician Sadaf Jafar and former IPS officer SR Darapuri were among those whose photos appeared on the posters.

The hoardings put up by the administration said that the properties of the accused will be confiscated if they fail to pay the compensation.

(With PTI inputs)