Supreme Court Agrees to List Plea Against Restrictions on Peaceful Protests in Delhi
Petition seeks directions to Delhi Police to allow citizens, students and political representatives to hold peaceful protests in accordance with law
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to list a petition challenging alleged restrictions imposed by the Delhi Police on peaceful protests in the national capital.
The petition seeks directions to the Delhi Police to allow citizens, students and political representatives, including Members of Parliament and MLAs, to hold peaceful demonstrations in accordance with the law.
The matter was mentioned before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The counsel appearing in the matter submitted that the police were not allowing people to organise peaceful protests and argued that the right to peaceful assembly and expression is protected under Article 19 of the Constitution.
CJI Surya Kant asked the counsel to clarify the relief being sought and whether the matter was being filed as a Public Interest Litigation. The counsel explained that the petition sought directions requiring the Delhi Police to permit peaceful protests in accordance with the law.
The bench said it would first ascertain whether similar matters were already pending before the Supreme Court. It indicated that the petition would be listed after examining the status of related cases.
The plea comes amid protests in Delhi over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and demands concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police had imposed restrictions around central Delhi during recent demonstrations, including at Jantar Mantar.
Three FIRs were also registered by Delhi Police in connection with a protest near Jantar Mantar, with the cases relating to alleged violations of restrictions and other offences.
The issue has also emerged alongside separate petitions before the Supreme Court challenging aspects of the functioning of the Election Commission and decisions related to the SIR exercise.
The Supreme Court’s decision on Monday was limited to agreeing to list the petition. The Court has not yet issued a final ruling on whether the restrictions imposed by the Delhi Police violate the constitutional right to peaceful protest.