Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Orderly processions not prohibited: court

HYDERABAD: A Division Bench of the A.P. High Court comprising Chief Justice A.R. Dave and Justice R. Subhash Reddy on Wednesday adjourned the hearing on a writ petition pertaining to road shows to next week while making important observations clarifying the effect of the interim order.

Though it did not pass a written order, the Bench said that holding meetings in designated places and going in a procession in an orderly manner without disturbing the traffic was not prohibited. The Chief Justice said that a balance had to be struck between the political activity and the sufferings caused to a citizen during the road shows

The Bench was dealing with a writ petition filed by Abhipray, a voluntary organisation, complaining about road shows and violation to right to life of the citizens. It may be recalled that the Bench had granted interim orders prohibiting the ‘road show’ by the respondent political parties. By Wednesday, all the political parties except the BJP, CPI (M) and MIM had engaged advocates and filed counter affidavits pleading for lifting the prohibition.

Earlier during the day, the Bench was informed that guidelines were being prepared and they would be placed before the court. Gangiah Naidu, senior advocate appearing for Praja Rajyam sought vacation of the stay order as the whole democratic activity had come to standstill.

Ravichander, appearing for the Nava Telangana Party, pleaded with the court to consider the larger issues at stake and said that the total prohibition was not proper. Satyam Reddy appearing for the TRS said that the police had arrested their party leader for holding a public meeting which was not on a road show. The Chief Justice intervened and asked the Advocate-General to file the guidelines into the court by next week.

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