Notice to CM, CS over withdrawal of cases against ABVP workers

The Vacation Bench of the High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the chief minister, the chief secretary, the DG & IG and the Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in relation to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition.

The PIL has sought Court directions to the chief minister to withdraw a cabinet decision made on September 6, in relation to the dismissal of criminal cases against Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad activists and two sitting legislators.

The petitioner, Amrutesh N P, argued that as the State Assembly elections are around the corner, the ruling BJP government, in an attempt to safeguard ABVP workers, has withdrawn criminal cases against them.

“The Assembly elections may be scheduled any moment due to the political polarisation in the State. The withdrawal of criminal cases by the cabinet is indirectly affecting the judicial system and the general public will loose confidence in the judiciary,” Amrutesh said.

The cabinet meeting in September had approved the withdrawal of eight cases registered in Dharwad, Raichur, Chikkaballapur, Bidar and Haveri districts against the activists.

Booked three years ago, the cases  pertain to such crimes as the vandalisation of public property, the disruption of academic council meetings and the manhandling of police officers on duty.