SC refuses to stop UP Govt from installing statues

The Supreme Court refused to restrain the Uttar Pradesh government from installing statues of its Chief Minister Mayawati, her political mentor late Kanshi Ram and the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party's election symbol in a park in Noida. Passing the order, SC said the court cannot intervene in such matters until and unless a case of misappropriation of fund is made.

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to restrain the Uttar Pradesh government from installing statues of its Chief Minister Mayawati, her political mentor late Kanshi Ram and the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) election symbol - the elephant.

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A bench of Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam said it would not intervene in the matter.

"If the statue installation has been approved by the Cabinet we cannot do anything. Come to us only if there are allegations of corruption or with appropriation of funds," said the bench, while refusing to entertain a lawsuit by Delhi based advocate Ravi Kant.

There are allegations that around Rs 2,000 crores are being spent on the statues that are coming up all over the state.