Hon’ble Devi Prasad Singh, J.—

BACK-DROP

A number of offences were committed between the period 2000 and 2009, including under various provisions of The Explosive Substances Act 1908, The Prevention of Terrorism Act 2002, The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967, The Official Secrets Act 1923, offences under Chapter VI of the Indian Penal Code 1860 and The Criminal Law Amendment Act in various districts viz. Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Bijnor, Lucknow, Kanpur Nagar, Rampur and Barabanki. The crimes, thus committed, included bomb-blasts at different places at different times in various districts. Consequent to commission of crimes, first information reports (F.I.Rs.) were registered. On investigation, incriminating material was collected against certain accused whereupon charge-sheets have been filed in various Courts. In some cases, trial has commenced, whereas in some cases accused are absconding.

In pursuance of instructions issued by the State Government, the Public Prosecutors, Incharge of those cases, moved applications for withdrawal from the prosecution of the accused in the said cases.

2. The petitioners preferred Writ Petition No. 4683 (MB-PIL) of 2013, thereby challen