On Wednesday, a petition was filed before the Allahabad High Court challenging the Varanasi Municipal Corporation's recent decision to close meat shops located along the Kanwar Yatra route during the month of Sawan.

The National Loktantrik Party submitted the petition, requesting an urgent hearing on the matter.

"The above mentioned directives not only violates the Fundamental freedom to carry on any occupation, trade or business guaranteed under Article 19(1)(g) but also breaches the Fundamental right to life with dignity and personal liberty as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution," the plea argued.

The plea argues that the practice of Kanwariya during 'Sawan' is an age-old tradition during which meat shops have always remained open. By issuing such directives, the authorities are attempting to create exclusion based on identity, the plea contends.

The court stated that since the Hon'ble High Court had already dismissed the applicant's criminal appeal on October 18, 2022, and the applicant subsequently approached and withdrew his petition from the Hon'ble Supreme Court, the order issued by this Court on March 24, 2022, has attained finality. Therefore, this court cannot re-examine the facts of the case or consider the relief requested by the applicant.

The trial court has dismissed his two bail applications. He was arrested in September 2020 and has been in custody since then. He had sought regular bail under Section 437 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, read with Section 43D (5) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 1967.