Allahabad High Court seeks response from Uttar Pradesh government on petition against premature release of former BJP MP

Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file a reply to a plea challenging the premature release of former BJP MP Udaybhan Karwaria, who was serving a life sentence for the murder of Samajwadi Party MP Jawahar Yadav in 1996.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel used his powers under Article 161 of the Constitution and issued an order releasing Karwaria on July 21, 2024, on the recommendation of the state government.

Karwaria was released from Naini Central Jail in Prayagraj on July 25 after being pardoned on the grounds of good behaviour.

Vijma Yadav, the widow of Jawahar Yadav and Samajwadi Party MP from Pratappur parliamentary seat in Prayagraj district, filed a petition against the release order.

While hearing the petition, a bench comprising Justice Rajiv Gupta and Justice Surendra Singh issued a notice to Karwaria.

In its August 30 order, the court also ordered the prosecutor to file a counter affidavit within four weeks when the case is next scheduled for trial.

Article 161 empowers governors to grant pardons, remissions, suspensions or remissions of sentences, or to suspend, remit or commute the sentences of convicted persons who have violated a law relating to a matter within the executive power of the State.

Earlier, the Prayagraj police commissioner and the district magistrate had recommended that Karwaria be released on the grounds of his good conduct in jail, officials said, after which the pardon notice was issued.

On November 4, 2019, the then Additional Judge in Prayagraj sentenced Karwaria, along with his two brothers and one other person, to life imprisonment for the murder of Samajwadi Party MP Jawahar Yadav in August 1996.

Yadav was shot dead in the Civil Lines area of ​​Prayagraj and charges have been filed against Karwaria, his brothers Kapilmuni Karwariya and Surajbhan Karwariya and one other person.

Udaybhan Karwaria was elected as MP from Bara constituency of Prayagraj twice on BJP ticket, first in 2002 and then in 2007. Later he was offered BJP ticket but lost.

His wife was also a BJP MP for the Meja parliamentary seat in Prayagraj.