HC raps SP leader for giving UP bandh call

Lucknow, Nov 26 (UNI) Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court today rapped opposition Samajwadi Party MP and prominent traders' leader Banwari Lal Kanchal for giving UP bandh call from tomorrow to protest implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) regime in Uttar Pradesh.

A division bench comprising Justices Pradeep Kant and Rajiv Sharma passed this order on a writ petition filed by Sanyukt Vyapar Mandal Association secretary Prem Lal.

The court issued notice to Mr Kanchal seeking an explanation under what law or constitutional right, the call for bandh and 'Chakka Jam' had been given.

UP Udyog Vyapar Pratinidhi Mandal, a traders organisation affiliated to the opposition SP, has called for a 50-hour UP Bandh from November 27 to protest implementation of VAT.

The petitioner had challenged the bandh call, under which shops and business establishments would be closed.

Besides, road and train traffic would be disrupted during the bandh.

Directing against Chakka Jam, the HC observed that medicine shops and emergency services would function normally , while vehicles would continue to ply.

UNI