M. Katju and U. Pandey, JJ. - (1.) HEARD Sri. V.B. Singh, Sri Neeraj Kant Varma and Sri Ravindra Singh, learned Counsels for the petitioner and learned Standing Counsel. Connect writ petition No. 40074 of 2003 with writ petition No. 40479 of 2003 which has already been ordered to be listed on 1st October, 2003.
(2.) LEARNED Counsel for the respondent may also file counter -affidavit in writ petition No. 40074 of 2003 by the next date. Yesterday (i.e. 10.9.2003) we had passed an order in writ petition No. 40479 of 2003 observing that all authorities, howsoever high, are accountable to the people in a democracy. The allegations in that petition, as well as in this petition, relate to alleged scams (Ghotalas) of thousands of crores of rupees by the previous Government in U.P. Without holding anyone guilty at this stage, the Court observed that scandalous things appear to have happened in U.P. The Court observed: - - This country is not for sale or loot. If certain politicians think that they can sell away the country or loot it, the people of this country will rise to the occasion and put a stop to this scandalous state of affairs and call the guilty persons to account. In a democracy, it is the people who are supreme, and all State Authorities whether Legislative, Executive or Judiciary are nothing but servants of the people. If such authorities think that they can do anything they please because they have assumed high office, then the time is not far off when the people of this country will severely punish such authorities. We make it clear that we are making these observations without giving a finding against anyone at this stage.
(3.) WE direct that all the papers related to Appughar and Taj Express Highway Project shall be sealed forthwith and the papers shall only be shown to the Enquiry Commission appointed by this order.;