Order

Delay condoned

2. Shashtri Bridge at Allahabad runs across River Ganga. Motor vehicles plying on National Highway No. 2 and passing through the said bridge have to pay toll charges. The bridge is named after Lal Bahadur Shas­htri, former Prime Minister of India who is well remembered for his honesty and simplicity. River Ganga is adored to India with reverence in the belief that her holy water cleanses the believers of their sins. Ironically, that bridge built across that river was used by the petitioner as a means to amass wealth dishonestly. Unfortunately, such unwholesome conduct was facilitated on account of certain orders passed by the Allahabad High Court. Petitioner, who flourished in the aforesaid wealth having been insulated with the court orders against any outside interference for a long time, could not continue preening in such opulence as he was cought in the meanwhile. He is now being asked to return the ill-gotten wealth. Strategy of subterfuge played by him even thereafter did not work for long and he is now facing stringent measures for recovery of the booty.

3. Initially petitioner was allowed to collect the toll at specified rates for a period of one year whic