Why AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi denied permission to hold rally: Allahabad HC

ALLAHABAD: The Allahabad High Court today asked the district administration of Allahabad to explain the rationale behind repeatedly denying permission to AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi for addressing public rally in the city.

The petitioner has alleged that the district authorities were acting on instructions from Uttar Pradesh Cabinet minister Azam Khan and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav who were wary of the AIMIM weaning away the state's sizeable Muslim electorate.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Rakesh Tiwari and Justice Mukhtar Ahmed asked the district authorities to place on record the material on the basis of which permission was denied to Owaisi for holding a rally thrice - in March, in April and again in June.

The court also fixed August 17 as the next date of hearing on the petition filed by Afsar Mahmood, city convenor of the All India Majlis-Ittehadul Muslimeen of which Owaisi - a Member of Parliament from Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat - is the president.