Allahabad High Court asked authorities of Uttar Pradesh on Monday regarding the notices issued by Sub Divisional Magistrates to farmers to furnish, 'exorbitant personal bonds' at a time when farmers are protesting across India.
Justice Ramesh Singha and Justice Rajeev Singh's divisional bench passed an order in a PIL filed by Social Activist Arundhati Dhuru that challenged the notices issued under section 111 of the code of criminal procedure to furnish personal bond ranging between Rs 50,000 to 10 Lakh, including two sureties of like amount citing apprehension of breach of law and order situation amid protests.
Social Activist Dhuru said, the notices filed by District Administration of Sitapur is, "causing them financial harship and not allowing them to move freely from their dwelling place." It was reported by Live Law.
Appearing for the petitioner, Advocate IB Singh said the notices issued by SDM under District Magistrate of Sitapur are "baseless." It has taken away their fundamental rights becuase "farmers are not allowed to come out from their houses as the police have surrounded their houses."
Singh added that the bond and sureties are too exorbitant and couldn't be met by the poor farmers. The divisional bench ordered in an urgent hearing, "Considering the averments made in the present writ petition and notices, which have been issued to the farmers, who are tractor owners, we deem it appropriate to call instructions from the State authorities as to under what circumstances such an exorbitant amount of personal bond and two sureties have been asked to furnish to them."
The case will next be heard on February 2. It has also
been reported that ahead of the tractor rally, UP administration had asked
petrol stations in all districts of UP to not provide fuel to the farmers.
However, the UP police said the notices have been withdrawn.
Read More: Farmers clash with Police, tear gas, water cannons used to halt farmers