The Supreme Court on Friday denied the urgent listing of a petition filed by the wife of gangster Sanjiv Maheshwari Jeeva, an aide to gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari, who was shot dead in a Lucknow court on June 7, seeking no coercive action so that she could attend her deceased husband’s post-funeral rites.
A vacation bench comprised of Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice Rajesh Bindal stated that the relief sought by Payal Maheshwari, wife of a dead criminal, kept moving and that there was no need for the matter to be heard by a vacation court. It was stated that the case would be here after the vacation in July.
The Uttar Pradesh government further informed the bench that the gangster’s funeral was held on Thursday and that his wife did not attend despite assurances from the State that no coercive action would be taken against her if she attended the funeral. According to the UP administration, the gangster’s son administered final rites.
Payal’s counsel stated that she wished to undertake post-funeral rituals,’shraad’ of her spouse, and that no coercive measures would be employed against her during this time.
“The one seeking permission is also a history-sheeter and gang leader. We know how it works. We had already given permission to attend but she did not,” the counsel appearing for the State said.
The bench in its order stated, “Matter was mentioned yesterday on the ground that funeral of the petitioner’s husband was to take place and for that purpose, she sought protection from any coercive action in attending the funeral. We are apprised today that the funeral has already taken place. The petitioner didn’t attend the funeral and the last rites were performed by the son.”
“We were told that no coercive steps could have been taken in case the petitioner attended the funeral. In such circumstances, we don’t think there is any urgency to take up the matter during vacation, list the matter before regular bench,” it added.