Caa-NRC Violence: In protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Citizen Register (NRC), the accused of violent protests in December 2019 have got a big relief from the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has currently stayed the process of recovery from the accused to compensate for the loss of property. Also, the Uttar Pradesh government has sought a reply on the matter within 4 weeks.
Meerut Tribunal issued recovery order
In fact, there were violent clashes during the protest against the CAA-NRC on 21 December 2019 in Rampur. In this clash at Shahabad Gate and Hathikhana intersection, heavy stone pelting, assault and petrol bombs were thrown at the police. The mob also set the police jeep and 6 bikes on fire. In this incident, a young man was also killed due to a bullet.
After the incident, the police had registered cases against thousands of people. A case was registered under sections of Balwa, murder, murderous attack, robbery, assault, public property damage Prevention Act and Criminal Law Amendment Act. Later, on the basis of photos and video footage, the accused were identified and arrests were also made.
During this incident, the Uttar Pradesh government formed Uttar Pradesh folk and private property damage recovery claim tribunal to compensate for the loss of public property. The tribunal in Meerut had convicted about 195 accused of Rampur and ordered a total recovery of Rs 11.08 lakh from them.
High court gave partial relief
These recovery orders were first challenged by the accused in the Allahabad High Court. The High Court said in the hearing that the accused will have to deposit 50% of the amount within 30 days, while the remaining amount will depend on the decision of the trial. Challenging this order, the accused approached the Supreme Court.
Supreme court order
Now on Monday, the Supreme Court, while hearing this petition, gave great relief to 26 accused. The court, while staying the recovery process, ordered the UP government to file a reply in four weeks. The court says that the government’s side will also be heard in detail in this case, only then the final decision will be taken.
Legal and political importance
There were violent incidents in several states including Uttar Pradesh during anti-CAA-NRC protests. The state government had decided to compensate the loss directly with the accused. However, legal and political disputes arose from the beginning about this. Now this decision of the Supreme Court has temporarily relieved the accused, but in the coming time, this matter will also depend on the policy of the state government and the stance of the court.
