By IANS,
Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court Friday turned down Uttar Pradesh Congress president Rita Bahuguna Joshi’s plea to quash the police complaint lodged against her for making derogatory remarks against Chief Minister Mayawati.
A division bench of the court comprising Justice Ravindra Singh and Justice Naheed Ara Monis declined to give any verdict on Joshi’s other plea for a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the attack and arson at Joshi’s Lucknow residence allegedly by ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) activists.
The judges held the view that since the cause of action arose in Lucknow, it was beyond their jurisdiction. Joshi would have to file a petition before the Lucknow bench of the high court, the bench said.
Joshi’s counsel U.N. Sharma told IANS: “We will move a fresh petition before the Lucknow bench on Monday.”
The state Congress chief was arrested July 16 for her remarks allegedly against Mayawati in Moradabad. She was sent to jail on a 14-day judicial custody after being booked under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Joshi’s house was set on fire July 15 night following which five people were arrested by police.