The Supreme Court agreed to hear, on Wednesday i.e. October 23, a plea filed by three accused in the Bahraich communal violence incident against demolition notices issued by the Uttar Pradesh government.
Senior advocate C. U. Singh, appearing for the petitioners, mentioned the matter before a bench of Justices B. R. Gavai and K. V. Viswanathan seeking an urgent hearing.
"This is an application by three persons who are recipients of demolition notices. The state government has given only three days to respond to the notices," Singh told the bench.
Singh submitted that petitioner No.1's father and brothers surrendered, and notices were purportedly issued on October 17 and pasted on 18th evening.
Additional Solicitor General K. M. Nataraj, appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, told the court that the Allahabad High Court was seized of the matter and had given 15 days to respond to the notice.
"We sought hearing on Sunday, but that did not happen," he added.
The bench then said, "If they (the UP government) want to take the risk of flouting our order, it's their choice." The counsel for the petitioners said the high court had not granted protection.
The apex court then orally asked the ASG not to take any action till Wednesday and posted the matter for hearing.
Ram Gopal Mishra (22) died of gunshot injuries after an inter-faith dispute over loud music being played outside a place of worship in Maharajganj on Sunday. The incident triggered communal violence, leading to arson and vandalism in the area and internet suspension for four days.