Allahabad High Court Takes Cognizance Of Army Major’s Car Set Ablaze By Group Of Men In Lucknow

The Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench has recently taken suo-motu cognizance in the matter related to an Army Major’s car that was set ablaze by a group of men on account of the failure of LDA i.e., Lucknow Development Authority to take any action.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Brij Raj Singh observed, “Since then, period of about 4 months has passed, still from the news item published today it is established that unauthorized hotels are still functioning in the city. That means Lucknow Development Authority has failed to take any action.”

The Bench has directed the Uttar Pradesh Government to file a comprehensive affidavit giving an explanation as to why heavy vehicles are allowed in the city during the no-entry hours.

Advocate Dharmendra Gupta appeared on behalf of the petitioners while Additional Advocate General R.K. Singh represented the respondents.

In this case, on January 9, the unidentified men set Major Abhijit Singh's car afire when he objected to loud music being played in a hotel in his neighbourhood. Earlier also, the persons responsible for playing D.J. set the car on fire of one of the complainants.

As per the media reports, the hotel was running unauthorizedly. The issue raised in the petitions was regarding misuse of the place, which was allotted for a Club and a grievance was also raised regarding the use of loudspeakers disturbing the peace of the residents in the surrounding area.

The petitioner, who appeared in person, submitted before the Court that even today he found several modified vehicles as well as heavy vehicles being plied during no entry time in the city and that he even clicked photographs of some of them. Whereas, the counsel for the State sought time to file a comprehensive affidavit.

The High Court while hearing a batch of petitions regarding the use of loudspeakers and pressure horns noted, “Learned counsel for the Lucknow Development Authority seeks time to file comprehensive affidavit explaining the terms and conditions for selling the land to be used as Club and also carry out inspection thereof and apprise the Court as to whether there is any violation either in construction or use of the place.”

Accordingly, the Court adjourned the matter to January 30, 2023.

Cause Title- Dr. Surendra Kumar and others v. State of U.P. and others

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