Uttar Pradesh government seems determined to use Goonda Act as tool of harassment: Allahabad High Court
The Allahabad High Court criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for the alleged misuse of the Goonda Act, labeling it a tool for harassment. The court quashed an externment order against a citizen, citing lack of evidence and procedural flaws.
Why it matters
This ruling highlights judicial oversight regarding the application of stringent state laws and the protection of individual civil liberties.
The Allahabad High Court has come down heavily on the Uttar Pradesh government over alleged misuse of the Goonda Act in the State, observing that cases coming before it indicate that the state government appears determined to use the stringent law as a tool of harassment.
A Lucknow Bench of Justice Subhash Vidyarthi said the Goonda Act is a "very powerful" legislation and must be invoked with great caution, only in clear cases and for maintaining public order.
The court made the observations while quashing the order of the Gonda district magistrate declaring a person named Zahid Ali a "goonda" and externing him from the district for six months.
The court also set aside the appellate order passed by the divisional commissioner upholding the DM's decision.
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