Three years of terror in UP: Property ordinance is as bad as AFSPA, says advocate Colin Gonsalves

A day after seeking reply Allahabad High Court issued notice to the Yogi government over Properties Ordinance, 2020. On the day Yogi government is scheduled to release a report card enlisting work done for the people of Uttar Pradesh, senior advocate and founder of Human Rights Law Network, Colin Gonsalves termed the ordinance “as bad as AFSPA”.

Passed by the Parliament, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”. Gonsalves who challenged the ordinance passed in Allahabad High Court said that the courts should stand against the “lawlessness”. Talking to NH, Gonsalves said, “This ordinance is against the HC order and the supreme court order also.”

Saying that the Yogi government is “completely lawless” the senior advocate added, “This ordinance is also an indication of that lawlessness. There is a complete breakdown of the rule of law in Uttar Pradesh. Therefore, it is important, that the courts should stand up against the breaking of the rule of law. They must stand to oppose the breaking the rule of law by setting aside the ordinance.”

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