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Disturbed after today’s headline in the “Indian Express” about the “Kanwar Yatra” which is likely to be held from July 25, 2021, the Supreme Court on Wednesday took Suo Moto cognizance of the newspaper report.

Bench of Justice RF Nariman and Justice BR Gavai issued notice to the Union of India and the States of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to file their response by July 16, 2021. 

“Given the fact that this Yatra is to take off from 25.07.2021, it is necessary to fix a short time period for this case,” Court said.

Directions were also issued to the Registry to immediately send a copy of the Court’s order to Mr. B. V. Balram Das, standing counsel for Union of India, Dr. Abhishek Atrey, standing counsel for the State of Uttarakhand and Mr. Pradeep Mishra, standing counsel for the State of Uttar Pradesh.

The Court further took note of the fact that the headline just above the headline based on which the Court took suo moto cognizance spoke about the Prime Minister’s statement when he met the North-Eastern Chief Ministers that when people ask about the third wave of the Covid-19 virus striking the citizenry of India, it’s upto us to stop it and we cannot compromise “even a bit”.

“Given the disparate political voices, all speaking at the same time, it is important that the relevant Secretary, Union of India, respond to this news report,” the Court further added.

The development came amid the decision of the State of Uttar Pradesh to go ahead with the kanwar yatra whereas amid fears of a possible third wave of CoVID 19, the Uttarakhand Government on July 13, 2021 had suspended the kanwar yatra.

The matter will now be heard on July 16, 2021. 

Case Title: Re Alarming Newspaper Report Regarding Kanwar Yatra In State Of U.P.| SMW (C) No. 5 OF 2021