An elected panchayat representative was externed under the Bihar Control of Crimes Act on the eve of the 2025 Assembly election, ordered to report 40 km from home thrice a week. The Patna High Court quashed the order, holding that the District Magistrate had no material before him but a police forwarding letter, acted as a post office without applying his mind, and violated natural justice. It awarded Rs 50,000 compensation and cautioned officials.
Setting aside an order branding a man a ‘Goonda’ on the strength of two criminal cases three years apart, the Allahabad High Court held that the UP Control of Goondas Act is being used as a tool of oppression by the bureaucracy, and awarded Rs 50,000 in damages, giving the State liberty to recover the sum from the salaries of the officers responsible.
