The interim order was passed by a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice C K Thakkar and Justice K M Mehta after two of the petitioners were attacked by goons following issuance of notices by the High Court on October 12 to the State, police commissioner, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and four others in the matter.

On Monday evening, Miraben Borasi (one of the petitioners) and her 12-year-old daughter, a teen-aged daughter of Rajeshwari Naidu (another petitioner) and Naidu's husband Devraj were brutally attacked. The condition of Miraben, who is admitted in L G hospital, was reported to be serious.

The application, filed by the United Christian Association and People'sUnion for Civil Liberties, prayed that the court compel the State authorities to take prompt action against Mungeri Saroj Agnu, Shanker Narayan Malbari, Taraben Shanker Malbari, Raju Waghela and their allies for creating panic and terror among the residents of the locality, falling under the jurisdiction of Amraiwadi police station.

The petition alleged that the accused had set up a trust and were forcibly collecting funds from the residents for a government-sponsored scheme.

It alleged that whoever refused or was unable to pay the funds was subjected to torture and intimidation and cited the case of a young woman who was kept in solitary confinement for 16 days by one of the accused and also criminally assaulted.

The petition submitted that though the illegal activities of the accused were brought to the notice of the authorities concerned, including the area police, no action was taken by them and prayed for an inquiry into the matter by CID.