A Division Bench comprising Justice C K Thakkar and Justice K M Mehta made the notices returnable on October 25. The application, filed by United Christian Association and People's Union for Civil Liberties seeking a writ of mandamus, prayed that the court compel the State and local authorities to take prompt action against Mungeri Saroj Agnu, Shanker Narayan Malbari, Taraben Shanker Malbari, Raju Waghela and their allies for creating panic among the residents of the locality which falls within jurisdiction of Amraiwadi police station of the city.

The petitioners have alleged that the accused had set up a trust and were forcibly collecting funds from the residents for a Government-sponsored welfare scheme.

The petitioners have alleged that whoever refused or was unable to pay the funds as demanded by the accused was subjected to torture and intimidation and cited the case of a young woman who was held in seclusion for 16 days by one of them and also assaulted.

While praying for an inquiry into the matter by CID, the petition claimed that though the illegal activities of the accused were brought to the notice of the authorities concerned, no action was taken.