Allahabad HC quashes case against 2 students booked for reading namaz at restricted site
Prayagraj (PTI): The Allahabad High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against two students accused of offering namaz at a place barred by the local administration.
A single judge bench of Justice Saurabh Srivastava set aside the proceedings arising out of an FIR lodged under sections 143 (member of unlawful assembly) and 188 (orders duly promulgated by government officials) of the IPC, observing that the implication of the applicants "who had no criminal history" was not justified.
A court in Sant Kabir Nagar had taken cognisance of the alleged offences and issued a summoning order against the two students in May 2019.
Counsel for the applicants submitted that the two were merely students with no prior criminal record and had been implicated solely for intending to perform namaz in accordance with their faith.
It was also argued that one of them was preparing for a competitive exam and continuation of trial in such a "petty offence" could adversely affect his future.
Opposing the plea, the additional government advocate acknowledged the absence of criminal history but contended that certain locations had been notified as prohibited for offering namaz to maintain law and order.
The state submitted that the applicants knowingly insisted on reading namaz at the restricted site and violated administrative instructions meant to preserve peace and harmony.
The court observed that in a democratic and secular country, citizens of every faith are guaranteed the right to follow their beliefs and rituals. However, it underlined that in a socially diverse society, directions issued by the local administration must be followed in the larger interest of communal harmony and law and order.
The bench noted that the prosecution of the two applicants, particularly in the absence of any criminal antecedents, was unjustified and could adversely impact their future.
In its order dated February 17, the court quashed the proceedings only in respect of the two applicants.
At the same time, it warned them to strictly follow any instructions or specific restraints issued by the local administration.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
