LUCKNOW, Sept. 19 -- The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has slammed the Bahraich district magistrate and the superintendent of police for approving gang charts under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986, without "due application of mind" or "maintaining fairness".

"It is a sad state of affairs where higher governmental officials of the rank of Superintendent of Police and District Magistrate concerned are unmindful of recurring judgments of Constitutional Courts with regard to application of mind and display of fairness," the court observed.

Justice Manish Mathur passed the judgment on September 15 on a petition filed by Babbu Shah challenging the proceedings against him under the Gang...