The Allahabad High Court quashes an order by the district magistrate in Gonda district that declares Zahid Ali a “goonda” and externs him from the district for six months under the Uttar Pradesh Goonda Act.
In its ruling, the court raises concerns about how the law is being applied. The court says the government appears determined to use the Goonda Act as a tool that could lead to harassment, and it highlights that the basis for the externment is questionable. The court points to issues including that the case on which the action is based has resulted in acquittal, and that the supporting report relied on by the authorities is outdated.
Across the two outlets, the core focus is the same: the high court’s decision sets aside the externment order and signals the need for careful scrutiny when invoking a law that imposes significant restrictions on an individual’s movement.
