UP told to return money recovered from anti-CAA protesters

New Delhi, February 18

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the Uttar Pradesh Government to refund crores of rupees it recovered from anti-CAA protesters after it was informed that 274 notices issued to them for recovery of damages on account of alleged loss to public property had been withdrawn. “That is good…We appreciate the gesture (withdrawal of notices),” said a Bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Surya Kant even as it refused to order status quo on properties attached despite repeated requests made by UP Additional Advocate General Garima Prashad, who said the order for refund would send out a wrong message. But the Bench wasn’t impressed.

However, the top court gave liberty to the state government to issue fresh notices under the Uttar Pradesh Recovery of Damages to Public and Private Property Act, 2020, which provides for setting up of claims tribunals.

“There shall be a refund of the damages recovered in the meantime. However, it will be subject to the decision of the claims tribunal,” the Bench said, while disposing of a petition filed by Parwaiz Arif Titu seeking the quashing of recovery notices issued to anti-CAA protesters.

Titu had contended that the notices had been sent in an “arbitrary manner”. —