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The Allahabad High Court, in an extraordinary Sunday sitting, addressed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Association For Protection of Civil Rights challenging the Uttar Pradesh Government's proposed demolition of properties belonging to the accused in the Bahraich violence case. While not explicitly staying the demolition, the court, led by Justice Attau Rehman Masoodi and Justice Subhash Vidyarthi, granted the affected individuals 15 days to respond to the demolition notices, extending the initial three-day deadline. The court's decision was based on the understanding that the UP Government would adhere to the Supreme Court's order on demolitions, which prohibits demolitions without its permission, except in cases of encroachments on public spaces.
The court expressed concerns about the association's filing of the PIL, citing potential far-reaching consequences. It noted the absence of victims approaching the court regarding the demolition notices, suggesting limited relevance for the association's petition. The court also acknowledged the petitioner's concerns about the situation in Bahraich, where fear of malicious prosecution had driven affected individuals to flee their homes. In light of this, the court extended the response time to 15 days, providing the affected persons with an opportunity to participate in the proceedings.
The Bahraich incident, which sparked the legal proceedings, occurred on October 13, 2024, the final day of Durga Puja celebrations. The violence in the Maharajganj/Mehsi area of Bahraich was triggered by objections to loud music during the festivities. The altercation escalated, culminating in the death of Ram Gopal Mishra, who, according to reports, had removed a green flag from a house and waved a saffron flag, leading to a confrontation. The aftermath saw violence and property destruction, lasting for two days, and internet services were suspended for four days. In response to the incident, 11 FIRs were registered, resulting in the arrest of 87 individuals out of approximately 1000 booked.