A division bench of the Hyderabad High Court, comprising Chief Justice Kalyan Jyoti Sen Gupta and Justice P.V. Sanjay Kumar, on Monday faulted the Vijayawada Police for imposing restrictions on motorists at night in the name of policing. The bench was dealing with a writ petition filed by Adv. Chiranjivi from Vijayawada. The petitioner said police were insisting on production of identity cards whenever someone ventured out after 11 p.m, and if they failed to give an explanation, they were taken to the police station. Expressing shock, the bench said such steps were against the civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution.
The government pleader for AP was repeatedly asked as to how such order could be passed and implemented. The court was told that being part of the new capital, the area needed special care, which was necessary to keep a tab on anti-social elements. However, the Chef Justice disapproved of the argument. The bench wondered as to how the freedom of movement guaranteed to citizens could be curtailed.
The Chief Justice said that any Indian citizen could visit Vijayawada, and police could not restrict his movements. The government was also asked to file a counter affidavit. The bench, however, made it clear that police could act in accordance with rules to ensure law and order.
