PRAYAGRAJ, July 17 -- The Uttar Pradesh government apprised the Allahabad high court that it will formulate statewide guidelines restraining police officers from visiting disputed properties under litigation without prior permission from the court and from directly contacting advocates involved in such cases.

The submission came during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning alleged encroachments on Gaon Sabha land in a village in Jaunpur district. The 90-year-old petitioner had accused local police personnel of threatening him to withdraw the petition. His counsel further alleged that his residence was raided by the police.

During a hearing on July 15, the superintendent of police (SP), Jaunpur, stated that two off...