Date:08/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/08/stories/2009010853330600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Reprieve for parties on road shows in A.P.

Legal Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Political parties and activist organisations got a temporary reprieve as a Bench of the High Court granted interim orders suspending till January 21, three clauses in the guidelines issued by the Director-General of Police curbing road shows.

These orders were passed on writ petitions filed by the Praja Rajyam and the Bharatiya Janata Party challenging the validity of a circular issued by the Director-General of Police on December 12.

They contended that in the guise of regulation there was total prohibition and that the guidelines sought to stifle genuine political activity. They lamented that the police were trying to regulate democratic activity.