The Allahabad High Court has taken a serious view of non-filing of counter affidavit (reply) by Uttar Pradesh government in a PIL relating to various requirements for historical and religious place -Naimisharanya in Sitapur district of the state.
However, the court gave another opportunity for the same to the respondent state government through the Principal Secretary, Religious Endownment and others on the request of state counsel.
But while granting further time for reply, the HC made it clear that if the counter affidavit was not filed on or before the next date February 23, the matter shall be proceeded further while drawing necessary inference against the respondent.
"It is not appreciated that in this petition filed as a PIL relating to various requirements for the historical and relegious place that is Naimisharanya, respondents have choosen not to respond to the petition despite repeated opportunities," the court observed.
A division bench of justice Dinesh Maheshwari and justice Anant Kumar passed the order on February 9 on a PIL filed by one Baburam Mishra raising the issue of the various requirements for Naimisharanya.
On December 7, 2015 the court had directed the respondent to file a counter affidavit.
The matter was thereafter taken up on January 25 and further time for filing counter affidavit was granted on the request of the state counsel.
