Supreme Court Stays Directive on Owner Details for Eateries During Kanwar Yatra

The Supreme Court extended its interim order staying directives issued by Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh, requiring eateries along the Kanwar Yatra routes to display owner and staff details. The court emphasized that the stay was against forced disclosure and asked the states to file responses to the pleas challenging their directives.

The Supreme Court on Friday extended its July 22 interim order that halts directives from BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Madhya Pradesh, which mandated eateries along the Kanwar Yatra routes to display owner and staff details.

The court clarified that its stay was only against the forced disclosure of names and asked the states to submit responses to the challenges against their directives. The bench also underscored the importance of uniform enforcement of existing laws across the entire state.

Senior advocates representing the states defended the directives as measures for transparency and preserving peace during the pilgrimage. However, the court maintained its position, postponing further hearings to August 5 and requiring affidavits from state governments to support their stances.