The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : High Court stays political roadshows

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 26, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version


=

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

High Court stays political roadshows

Legal Correspondent

They affect lives of citizens: petition

HYDERABAD: Political parties received a jolt on Tuesday when the Andhra Pradesh High Court directed the authorities in the State not to allow their roadshows.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice A. R. Dave and Justice R. Subash Reddy passed these interim orders in a writ petition filed by a voluntary organisation, ‘Abhipray’ which named the Chief Secretary, the Home Secretary and the Director General of Police, besides major political parties in the State, as the respondents.

The orders come amidst a flurry of roadshows scheduled by various leaders following the huge response they received to their earlier tours.

Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi promptly announced cancellation of his visit to Nellore and Prakasam district from November 29. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy is also expected to convert his roadshow in Medak district on November 28 into a public meeting while Telangana Rashtra Samiti president K. Chandrasekhar Rao will do likewise during his ongoing tour of Telangana.

The petitioner complained that the roadshows by various political leaders were playing havoc with the lives of ordinary citizens. They were unable to reach their destinations in time due to traffic jams while lives were being lost (in accidents) during these programmes. Thus, the right to life guaranteed under the Constitution was being violated, the petitioner said and lamented that the authorities were not stopping these illegal activities.

When the case came up before the bench, Advocate General C. V. Mohan Reddy indicated that he was not opposed to the passing of interim orders. As there was no opposition from the State, the bench ordered a stay.

Counter affidavit

At this stage, R. Raghunandan Rao, the advocate representing Praja Rajyam, requested for some time to file counter affidavit, but the bench expressed dismay at the request and wondered whether the people could be allowed to suffer.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh