The order was passed by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Kshitij Shailendra while hearing a petition filed by Nasir Farooq, an advocate and resident of Amroha. The petition questioned the validity of an undated notice directing the closure of chicken and mutton shops during Sawan.
Representing the petitioner, advocate Mustaqim Ahmed argued that police authorities had compelled the closure of even those chicken shops situated away from the Kanwar Yatra route in Amroha through undated notices. He contended that the action had adversely affected the livelihoods of hundreds of people and sought quashing of the notice.
The petitioner further submitted that although the notice referred only to the four Mondays of Sawan, shop owners were allegedly not being permitted to operate throughout the entire month. It was also claimed that shops located in interior lanes and areas far from the Kanwar route were being forced to remain closed, resulting in loss of employment and income for many families.
Opposing the plea, Additional Chief Standing Counsel Ramanand Pandey appeared on behalf of the state government.
After hearing submissions from both sides, the Division Bench declined to entertain the petition. The Court observed that the PIL did not appear to be a genuine public interest matter and remarked that it seemed to have been filed primarily for gaining publicity. Consequently, the petition was dismissed.
