Writ seeks refund of money spent on VHP conclave

Allahabad, Feb 9 (UNI) A writ petition has been filed in the Allahabad High Court seeking relief for the refund of amounts allegedly released to the VHP for holding a conclave at the Ardh Kumbh Mela area here from February 11-13.

The petition has been filed by an advocate, Rajeshwar Yadav.

A bench comprising Justices S R Alam and Sudhir Agarwal posted the case to February 19 for the next hearing.

Refuting the petitioner's contention, the state government filed an affidavit explaining that no funds were released from the state exchequer nor was any amount paid for holding the conclave.

In fact, some facilities permissible under the Uttar Pradesh Mela Act, 1938 including provision of land, lightening and water supply estimated to the tune of Rs 2.52 crore, had been recommended by the state government -- which has to be spent only from the Mela Fund.

The state government counsel observed that the petition is not maintainable as the petitioner had sought mandamus against the Uttar Pradesh Governor for invoking Article 356.

Uttar Pradesh Advocate General S M A Kazmi said the mandamus sought is totally unsustainable under the law and no such relief can be granted within the parameters of law.

The counter affidavit submitted by Uttar Pradesh government was admitted on record and the petitioner was allowed to delete the name of the Governor from the array of parties. Relief sought by him for invoking the provisions of Article 356 has been allowed to be deleted.

UNI