New Delhi, June 22 (TIWN) The Uttar Pradesh government has told the Supreme Court that the plea against the recent demolition of houses is an attempt to give a mala fide colour to a lawful action taken by the local development authorities as per the procedure established by law.

"It is submitted that the said demolitions...have been carried out by the local development authorities, which are statutory autonomous bodies, independent of state administration, as per law as part of their routine efforts against unauthorised/illegal constructions and encroachments, in accordance with the UP Urban Planning and Development Act, 1972," said the affidavit.  The state government justified demolitions, which were carried out in Prayagraj and Kanpur following protests against the BJP leaders' remarks on Prophet Muhammad.  The state government said that allegations are completely false and misleading, and none of the actual affected parties have moved the top court in connection with the lawful demolition actions. It further added that the petitioner has deliberately obfuscated the true facts to paint a nefarious picture of alleged mala fides on the part of the administration, and that too, without stating any facts on affidavits.  "The petitioner, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, has failed to place on record the facts duly supported by affidavits and has merely hand picked certain media, reporting to make unfounded allegations against the state machinery and its officers, and seeks sweeping omnibus reliefs unfounded in either law or fact," the Uttar Pradesh government said.