Section 144 Imposed in Lucknow

• 20 Mar 2024

Why in News?

Recently, the Uttar Pradesh government has imposed Section 144 Code Of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in Lucknow till 17^th May, 2024 in the wake of upcoming Lok Sabha elections and festivals.

Key Points

• The Lok Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh for the year 2024 will be conducted in seven phases, spanning from 19^th April to 1^st June.
• The election schedule, announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI), will commence from the sugarcane belt in the western region of the state and conclude in Purvanchal, often described as the rice bowl of UP.
  • Vote counting is set to take place on 4th June, 2024.

Section 144 CrPC

• This law empowers the magistrate of any state or union territory in India to pass an order prohibiting the gathering of four or more people in a specified area.
• It is imposed in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger of some event that has the potential to cause trouble or damage to human life or property.
• This order can be passed against a particular individual or general public.
• Features of Section 144:
  • It places restrictions on handling or transporting any kind of weapon in the given jurisdiction.
    • The maximum punishment for such an act is three years.
  • According to the order under this section, there shall be no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed.
  • Further, there will be a complete bar on holding any kind of public meeting or rallies during the period of operation of this order.
  • It is deemed a punishable offence to obstruct law enforcement agencies from disbanding an unlawful assembly.
  • It also empowers the authorities to block internet access in the region.
  • The ultimate purpose of Section 144 is to maintain peace and order in the areas where trouble could erupt to disrupt the regular life.