Nagpur: Complaining of illegal harassment and their likely eviction from their residential area Ganga Jamuna locality of Itwari area, Latabai Keshav Maundekar and 176 other women residents by the respondents State home secretary, police commissioner and the police station officer, Lakadganj have moved the Nagpur bench of High Court here,with a writ petition, seeking protection of the court to them with direction to the respondents to see that petitioners and their other familly members” eviction must be by adhering to the due process of law, as laid down in the Constitution.
Pointing out on the previous date, the court has noted that the court has asked the State government to verify these petitioners” respective occupations and other details and on being asked, the government counsel intimated to the court that the work of preparing report regarding the petitioners containing all these details,is in progress and very soon it would be submitted to the court. The court has further granted two weeks” time to the State authorities to submit report by way of compliance with the direction.
The petitioners have claimed that they and their elders are residing in the area since last 150 years. The total population of the area is around 6,000 including 2,000 senior citizens with their age ranging between 65 to 80 years.1,500 are school going children and 2,500 are middle aged persons.48 out of these petitioners own land.They have told the court that the city police have beaten them mercilessly without letting them know the provisions of law. On January 29 last between 12 noon and 1 pm around 20 to 30 police staff went to the spot in their vehicles. Around 3,500 persons have been thrown on the street violating Article 21 Right to life.
Intervening applicant Janmanch has pleaded for rehabilitation of all these persons. Another intervention application has been filed by the Manoj K Chaple and 7 other persons belonging to “Ganga Jamuna Vaishya Vyavsay Hatav Kruti Samiti”, seeking end to prostitution activities in the area.
