The Uttarakhand High Court has rebuked the State police over its failure to prevent communal violence in Nainital following the arrest of a Muslim man in connection with the rape of a minor.
The Bench of Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Ravindra Maithani on Friday observed that the incompetence of state police lead to a law & order situation and now it wanted to cover up.
Regarding the ransacking of shops, the High Court asked the police about the action taken against arsonists.
The Bench further expressed its strong displeasure over the demolition notice issued by the local municipal body for the house of the accused.
The observations were made on a petition filed by the wife of the accused challenging the three-day notice.
The petitioner submitted that the family has been living in the house for more than 20 years and no notice of encroachment was ever sent to them before.
The High Court observed that such action by the local body was in defiance of the directions issued by the Supreme Court to curb illegal demolitions of properties belonging to accused.
While issuing a contempt notice, it said the local body could not violate the Supreme Court order, which held that a proper procedure must be followed for demolition of a house.
The Counsel appearing for the municipal body said the notice would be withdrawn.
The Bench was further apprised that when the accused was produced before the trial court, there was scuffle with his lawyer.
Noting that the State had deliberately failed, the High Court said the lawyers could not prevent anybody from representing anyone.
Had the police been vigilant, this could not have happened, observed the Bench and listed the matter for further hearing on May 6.
A complaint alleging that a 12-year-old girl was allegedly raped by the accused in April was filed with the police on April 30. As per media reports, the case led to a communal violence, during which miscreants resorted to vandalism.