Allahabad HC Reserves Judgment on Rita Bahuguna Joshi’s Plea
The Allahabad High Court has reserved its judgment on a plea filed by UP Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi. The petition demands a CBI probe into the attack of Joshi’s residence and quashing of a case lodged against her for making remarks about Chief Minister Mayawati.
Rakesh Dwivedi, Joshi’s advocate, argued that the case against her was disproportionate and politically motivated and so the state government should withdraw it.
After hearing pleas from both sides, a bench comprising Justices Ravindra Singh and Nahid Ara Monis reserved judgement.
Joshi’s house here was set on fire July 15 allegedly by a group of ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) workers following her remarks against Mayawati. Joshi made remarks that offended Mayawati both as a woman and a Dalit.
Joshi was arrested and charged under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. She was given bail by a Moradabad court Saturday. She has expressed regret for her remarks.
The Uttar Pradesh government has asked the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) to investigate the arson attack, but the Congress has insisted on a CBI probe.
