Joshi home arson: HC issues notice to Maya

The Bench comprising Justices Abdul Mateen and Ashwini Kumar Singh issued notices to state principal secretary (Home),SHO of Husainganj,secretary (Home) of the Central government and principal secretary to the UP Governor. All were named as respondents by Joshi.

“The Bench has fixed October 13 as the next date of hearing and has directed the respondents to file counter affidavits. The petitioner has also been asked to submit a rejoinder thereafter,” said Joshi’s counsel Rakesh Dhar Dwivedi.

In the petition,Joshi stated she had no faith in CB-CID as the agency works directly for the state government. She also accused Mayawati of rewarding those involved in the arson with ministerial berth and special security. Quoting news channels,Joshi said Mayawati made a statement that she will not forgive her and hence she does not expect CB-CID to conduct a fair probe.

Joshi’s counsel Kapil Deo said since BSP leaders and ministers were involved in the incident,the Governor’s secretary has also been named as one of respondent. “It has been included to avoid legal tangle like seeking Governor’s consent at a later stage,” said Deo.

Earlier,the police had registered a case under the SC/ST Act against Joshi and sent her to jail for her alleged remarks on Mayawati at a public meeting on June 15. On the same night,her Lucknow residence was set afire allegedly by BSP members. While Joshi has been demanding a CBI inquiry,Mayawati ordered a CB-CID probe.

At first,Joshi had filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court urging the latter to quash the FIR lodged against her. She also urged the court to order a CBI probe into the incident of arson. While plea to quash the FIR was rejected,she was advised to approach the Lucknow Bench of the Hight Court for a CBI probe.