In a major boost to state BJP chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar, the Telangana High Court on Thursday cleared the continuation of the third phase of his Praja Sangrama Yatra, which was stopped by the police on Tuesday. This phase of the yatra will conclude on Saturday, in the presence of BJP president J.P. Nadda.
The court expressed surprise at the contention of the police that Sanjay was delivering provocative speeches during the yatra.
A single bench headed by Justice Tadakamalla Vinod Kumar ruled that it was illegal and undemocratic to stop the yatra and gave interim suspension orders on the notices issued by Wardhannapet police that had halted Sanjay.
Justice Kumar made it clear that mere apprehensions would not confer powers on anyone to take such undemocratic decisions.
The court questioned the police why they had not stopped the yatra on the very first day. The court also did not accept the contention of the police that several cases were registered against the BJP leader on charges of making provocative speeches.
Advocate General B.S. Prasad, on behalf of the police, submitted pen drives which reportedly contained the speeches of Sanjay.
As the government failed to furnish the affidavit and could not give clarity as to when and where Sanjay had delivered such provocative speeches, the court faulted the notices issued by the police to stop the yatra.
Though, the assistant commissioner of police has the powers under the Warangal Police Act to issue notices directing Sanjay to refrain from taking up the yatra, such a notice period cannot be extended beyond seven days.
The Advocate General said that the law and order situation in Hyderabad was not good for the last two days, which was why the notice was issued by the police.
