No relief to UP Congress from Supreme Court, will have to deposit Rs 1 crore, matter related to Indira-Rajiv Gandhi era

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Uttar Pradesh Congress to take over the use of the State Road Transport Corporation for ferrying supporters to political rallies and visits of then Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi when they were in power in the state from 1981 to 1989. Deposited Rs 1 crore as outstanding fare for buses and taxis. Justice Surya Kant and Justice K.V. Vishwanathan’s bench issued notices to the state government and Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) on the plea by Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) and directed the party to deposit Rs 1 crore within four weeks.

What argument did Congress give?

Senior advocate Salman Khurshid, appearing for the Congress, said the transport corporation is challenging the findings of the high court as a total amount of Rs 2.68 crore is in dispute. Justice Surya Kant said, “If you file a civil suit to protest the amount, the decision will take 20-30 years. After that there will be first appeal, second appeal and other proceedings. “Instead, we are thinking of appointing an arbitrator to determine the actual liability of the petitioner.”

Khurshid agreed to the suggestion of the bench. The bench said that to establish authenticity, it would direct the state Congress to deposit a certain amount of the total dues. Along with this, the bench ordered to deposit one crore rupees. After writing the order, Khurshid requested the bench to reduce the amount to be deposited and further extend the period of four weeks. “Initially we were thinking of ordering deposit of half the amount, but then we thought that Rs 1 crore would be enough to establish authenticity,” the bench said.

Congress had challenged the order of Allahabad High Court

The state Congress had challenged the October 5, 2023 order of the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court in connection with a writ petition filed in 1998. State Congress had challenged the recovery notice issued by the Tehsildar of Lucknow Sadar. The proceedings were initiated at the behest of the UPSRTC Managing Director, who claimed that the state Congress owed an amount of Rs 2.68 crore (Rs 2,68,29,879.78) and was entitled to recover it.

Money is being recovered as political vendetta – Congress

The High Court has referred to various correspondence and bills and has taken cognizance of a letter of UPSRTC dated April 2, 1981, which states that more than Rs. 6.21 lakh was spent for the farmers’ rally organized by the Uttar Pradesh Congress on February 16, 1981. The bill was pending and similarly, another correspondence dated December 16, 1984 shows that Rs 8.69 lakh was outstanding for the fare of the vehicle provided for the transportation of people to pay homage to the mortal remains of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on November 19, 1984. Was. The High Court had directed UPCC to make full payment of Rs 2.66 crore to ‘UPSRTC’ within a period of three months along with five per cent interest from the due date. Congress had said in its petition that this amount is being collected as a political vendetta and with the intention of bringing the petitioner under political pressure.