The high court held that the move was an “unwarranted interference in the privacy” of the people – none of whom have been convicted of a crime – whose personal details had been put up in public.

The court dismissed the UP government’s objections and held that the state had a right to maintain law and order but this did not mean they could violate fundamental rights. The banners were found to be disproportionate measures and without any basis in law.

The bench headed by Chief Justice Govind Mathur also prohibited the state government from putting up such hoardings elsewhere in UP, and directed the district magistrate and the police commissioner to submit a compliance report with the registrar general of the high court by 16 March.

On Sunday, the Allahabad HC had conducted an extraordinary hearing into the issue after taking suo motu cognisance of the case. The UP authorities were unable to offer any justification or authority in law for the move.