Allahabad High Court Converts 2014 PIL Regarding Regulation Of Sale Of Acid In UP Into Suo-Motu Proceedings

The Allahabad High Court has converted a Public Interest Litigation filed in 2014 regarding the restriction and regulation of acid sales in Uttar Pradesh into suo-motu proceedings.

The Division Bench of Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh and Justice Vivek Saran permitted the withdrawal of the case while taking care of the fact that "interest of justice may be defeated" if the case is closed.

The Petitioner was represented by Advocate Pradeep Verma, while the Respondent was represented by Central Standing Counsel.

The Court was of the view that while the choice of the Petitioner cannot be questioned, public interest must be kept in mind.

"While we cannot judge the choice or motive of the original petitioner who wishes to withdraw from such a genuine public interest litigation, we observe that the interest of justice may be defeated if such litigation is permitted to be withdrawn on the volition of the original petitioner, to the extent this is not adversarial litigation but public interest litigation", the Court observed.

The Court thus directed the Registry to re-register the present petition as a suo moto proceeding, after making necessary changes in the party description etc.

The Petition was accordingly directed to be listed for the next hearing as a suo-motu proceeding.

Cause Title: Anubhav Verma v. State Of U.P. And 5 Others  

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