Allahabad: The Allahabad High Court on October 14 asked the administration in Allahabad to provide food, water and decent place to stay for kar sevaks, who have been arrested on their way to Ayodhya to participate in Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)-sponsored rally on October 17.

A division bench comprising Justice S K Agarwal and Justice K N Sinha passed the order on a writ petition filed by one Manoj Sahu, a resident of Assam, who is now in detention of district authorities in connection with his proposed visit to Ayodhya.

The petition claimed that he, along with several others, were arrested by police at Allahabad junction two days ago and denied basic facilities like food, water and proper shelter, which as violative of fundamental rights of the detainees.

Disposing of the petition, the court directed the Allahabad district administration to provide adequate facilities to the arrested kar sevaks, which they, as citizens, are eligible for under the law.

Stating that the arrested kar sevaks are not criminals and therefore cannot be denied basic amenities, the court said they could not be herded at one place in large number without food, water and decent place to stay.

PTI