HC stays UP order on withdrawing terror cases; Govt says won't step back

Allahabad High Court today stayed the Uttar Pradesh government order to withdraw cases against alleged terror accused, but the state government said it "would not step back" as it was keen on early release of innocent people.
The order was passed by justices Mahendra Dayal and Rajeev Sharma of the Lucknow bench on a petition filed by local lawyer Ranjana Agnihotri and five others.
The court directed that the government's order be kept in abeyance.
It referred the matter to a larger bench and gave six weeks' time to the respondents, including the central and the state governments, for filing their reply and four weeks' for rejoinder thereafter.

Appearing on behalf of the UP government, Additional Advocate General Bulbul Godiyal submitted that the PIL was not maintainable as earlier a similar petition was dismissed.
Commenting on the development, Minority Welfare Minister Azam Khan said, "The government would not step back as its intention is very clear that innocent people are released as soon as possible."

The state government would examine the shortcomings while presenting the government's side in court. These would be removed and the government would forcefully put its case, Khan said in a statement here.
"The government is not just doing a formality for the release of innocent youths arrested on false charges of terror activities, but is serious on this," he said.

The minister said terrorists should get capital punishment but innocent youths lodged in jail due to political or other reasons should definitely be released.