New Delhi, July 22: In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Monday stayed the order issued by the Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments directing eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route to display names of owners. SC bench, led by Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S.V.N Bhatti, issued an interim order after hearing a plea from the NGO, Association For Protection of Civil Rights.
Hearing the case Association For Protection Of Civil Rights (APCR) Versus The State of Uttar Pradesh And Ors., W.P.(C) No. 463/2024, the top court’s two-judge bench passed the interim order on Monday.
“The argument is that their rights would also be affected under Art 19(1)(g)…It is permissible for authorities to ensure that Kanwariyas are served veg food, conforming to their preferences maintaining hygienic standards…The authority may issue orders under Food Security Act…but powers conferred on competent authority can’t be usurped by police without any formal order supported by law,” the bench noted in the order.
The Supreme Court while passing the order has issued notice to all three states – UP, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh and asked them to file their respective replies and fixed the matter for further hearing on July 26.
