The Uttar Pradesh government is set to withdraw criminal cases registered against several public representatives during the Covid-19 pandemic, after receiving permission from the Allahabad High Court. The cases were related to alleged violations of Covid guidelines and do not involve serious criminal charges.
The High Court, while hearing a batch of petitions filed by the state government, allowed the withdrawal of cases against 25 public representatives, including senior political leaders such as Uma Bharti, Dr. Sanjeev Balyan, and State Minister Thakur Jaiveer Singh.
Court’s Observations
The Allahabad High Court clarified that cases not involving grave or serious criminal offences may be withdrawn by following due legal procedure. The court emphasized that withdrawal should be carried out strictly in accordance with the law and public interest.
The Uttar Pradesh government had submitted 72 applications seeking permission to withdraw cases registered against elected representatives during the Covid period. After hearing the matter, the court granted approval in 28 cases, while withholding a final decision on applications involving more serious allegations.
The remaining petitions will be heard on February 26, the court said.
Leaders Granted Relief
The public representatives who have received relief include:
- Uma Bharti (Mahoba)
- Dr. Sanjeev Balyan (Muzaffarnagar)
- Suresh Rana
- Thakur Jaiveer Singh (Aligarh)
- Neelam Sonkar (Azamgarh)
- Anil Singh (Unnao)
- Ashraf Ali Khan (Shamli)
- Seema Dwivedi (Jaunpur)
- Abhijit Sanga (Kanpur Nagar)
- Vijendra Singh (Bulandshahr)
- Vivekanand Pandey (Kushinagar)
- Meenakshi Singh (Bulandshahr)
- Jai Mangal Kanaujia (Maharajganj)
- Rajpal Balyan (Muzaffarnagar)
- Pradeep Chaudhary (Hathras)
- Prasann Chaudhary (Shamli)
- Umesh Malik
- Kumar Bharatendu
- Ved Prakash Gupta
Background
During the Covid-19 pandemic, multiple cases were registered across Uttar Pradesh against political leaders for allegedly violating lockdown norms, organizing gatherings, or breaching health protocols. The state government later reviewed these cases and moved the High Court seeking permission to withdraw those deemed non-serious.
The court’s order is expected to have significant political and legal implications, particularly ahead of upcoming electoral exercises in the state.
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