The Uttarakhand High Court has recently stayed a recovery notice of Rs 2.42 crore sent by the Municipal Corporation to Abdul Malikm (the main accused in the Haldwani Banbhulpura violence).
The decision was made by a single bench of senior Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari after hearing the case.
Abdul Malik is a key accused in the violence at Haldwani. Stone-pelting incidents, torching of vehicles, and a mob surrounding the local police station were witnessed during the violence.
CASE INSIGHTS
The notice that were issued on February 12, 2024, demanded Abdul Malik deposit Rs. 2.42 crore within 3 days to cover the losses incurred during the riots on February 8 in Banbhulpura.
Furthermore, the municipal notice claimed that several lives were lost, and government property worth crores of rupees got damaged during the violence, holding Malik responsible as the main accused.
Following Malik’s failure to pay the amount, the administration initiated recovery proceedings. A subsequent recovery notice was issued by the Haldwani Tehsildar on April 25.
Malik therefore challenged the municipal corporation’s order in the High Court, arguing that the allegations against him had not been proven and the case was still pending in court.
Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari, acknowledging the petitioner’s argument, that has stayed the recovery notice, providing temporary relief to Abdul Malik while the court case continues.
CASE HISTORY
Previously on February 8, in the violence that took place in Banbhulpura, Haldwani, 4 people were killed and 250 policemen were injured.
According to the police, the mob burned down Banbhulpura police station. A curfew was imposed in the entire town for 2 days.
The Haldwani Civil Court issued order on Feb 8 to confiscate the property of nine miscreants, including Abdul Malik and his son, the alleged mastermind of the violence that broke out in Banbhoolpura town following the demolition of an allegedly “illegal structure” as part of an anti-encroachment drive on February 8.
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