At last, Andhra Pradesh high court admitted a public interest litigation petition filed against Telugu Desam Party president and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on the charges of violating the lockdown norms during his return to Andhra Pradesh two days ago.
On Wednesday, the high court heard the arguments of the advocates on behalf of petitioners, who pointed out that Naidu had blatantly violated the lockdown norms and encouraged the massive gathering of party workers at every place on his way from Hyderabad to Amaravati.
The court asked the petitioner whether he had complained to the authorities concerned first before approaching the court.
The petitioner brought to the notice of the court that there were several instances in the past when the court had admitted such petitions directly without any complaint to the police authorities.
The high court had already issued notices to five YSR Congress party MLAs who allegedly violated lockdown restrictions.
The court said it would club the petition against Naidu also with those of the other five YSRC MLAs and hear the cases together on Thursday.
It may be recalled that Naidu was given rousing reception by TDP workers at several places, including Jaggayyapet, Nandigama and Kanchikacherla, where they assembled in huge numbers without following the social distancing norms and wearing masks.
Naidu also got down from his car and waved at them, even as they surrounded him without maintaining distance.
The petitioner charged that Naidu’s action amounted to encouraging violation of lockdown norms and hence, he deserved penal action.