Overview
- Justice Saurabh Srivastava on February 17 set aside the charge sheet and a May 2019 summoning order issued by a Sant Kabir Nagar magistrate.
- The students had been booked under IPC Sections 143 and 188 after offering namaz at a location temporarily restricted by local authorities.
- The court noted the applicants had no criminal history and found continuing the prosecution unjustified given the potential harm to their futures.
- The order cautions the two to obey any future instructions or specific restraints issued by the administration in the interest of peace and communal harmony.
- State counsel argued certain places were notified as off-limits for namaz to maintain law and order and alleged the students insisted on praying at the restricted site.