New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh Government's effort to withdraw Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) charges against Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya received a set back, as the Supreme Court today (Mar 24, 2004) made the Union Government a party to a petition on the issue and said nothing should be done without prior permission of the Centre.

A Bench comprising Justice S Rajendra Babu and Justice G P Mathur issued notice to the Centre on an application filed by Raja Bhaiya, his father and a relative seeking impleadment of the Union Government, which, they said is the sole authority to grant permission for withdrawal of POTA charges against them.

The applicants said the Uttar Pradesh Government has already sought permission of the Centre to revoke POTA charges against them and hence, the Centre was a necessary party in the proceedings.

The court, however, said no steps would be taken by the State Government for withdrawal of POTA charges on the basis of a letter written by the State Government to the Governor and posted the matter for further hearing in July.

These proceedings took place during the hearing of a petition filed by one S K Shukla, who is a witness in a case against Raja Bhaiya and others challenging the August 29, 2003 decision of the State Government to withdraw POTA charges against Raja Bhaiya and others.