The Allahabad High Court has issued a stay on the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) notices aimed at demolishing properties belonging to the accused in the Bahraich violence case. This decision, made on Sunday, October 20, also grants a 15-day period for affected individuals to respond to the PWD notices, with the next hearing scheduled for October 23.

Demolition Notices Issued to Bahraich Shopkeepers

On Saturday, the PWD posted notices on the houses and shops of 23 individuals, including Abdul Hameed, the primary accused in the Bahraich violence. The notices ordered the removal of encroachments along a government road, specifically targeting constructions located 60 feet from the center of the rural road, demanding their removal within three days. This action was prompted by the shooting of a 22-year-old Hindu man amid escalating communal tensions in the district.

Supreme Court Petition Against Demolitions

In response to the proposed demolitions, a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking to halt the bulldozer actions following the Bahraich violence. The petition calls for the cancellation of the notices issued by the Uttar Pradesh government and aims to prevent the demolition. As a result of the notices, many affected individuals are reportedly evacuating their homes and relocating their belongings. The issuance of the PWD notices has caused significant unrest in the area.

The petition represents three named accused or their family members involved in the Bahraich violence, asserting that the properties targeted for demolition are between 10 and 70 years old, owned by daily wage laborers and farmers.

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Background of Bahraich Violence

The violence in Bahraich erupted following the death of Ram Gopal Mishra, a 22-year-old, who succumbed to gunshot wounds after a dispute over loud music played near a place of worship in Maharajganj on October 13. This incident ignited communal unrest, resulting in arson and vandalism, and led to a four-day suspension of internet services, during which residents largely remained indoors.

From October 13 to October 16, authorities registered at least 11 FIRs related to Mishra’s murder and the subsequent violence, with approximately 1,000 people booked, including six named individuals. In the aftermath of the unrest, a station house officer (SHO) and a police outpost in-charge were suspended, while other officials, including Circle Officer Rupendra Gaur, Tehsildar Ravikant Dwivedi, and District Information Officer Ghulam Waris Siddiqui, were removed from their positions.

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