'Don't drag Supreme Court into politics': CJI Surya Kant amid Delhi protests row
Here's the latest protest news from across India:
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Monday shared the Supreme Court should not be “dragged into any politics” amid the ongoing protests against the alleged crackdown on demonstrators in Delhi, urging lawyers to ensure that the functioning of the top court and the movement of lawyers, court staff and litigants remains unhindered.
Adding to this, ‘SC can’t be allowed to become disruption site’: CJI after plea on Delhi police action (PTI) “There should not be any obstruction in the functioning of the court. There should not be any impediment in the movement of the lawyers, their clerks, court staff or litigants,” the CJI told Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president and senior advocate Pradeep Rai, who mentioned a fresh petition concerning the detention of lawyers and the suspension of internet services.
Meanwhile, Making it clear that the court had no objection to democratic activities, CJI Kant shared lawyers were free to protest but should do so at designated places.
Notably, “Every member of the Bar can also protest. Wherever there is a designated place to protest, you can protest,” he told senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who also mentioned a separate petition for listing. CJI Kant added that he had already appealed to the protesters.
As per the latest buzz, The observations came a day after a special bench of justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued a series of directions to protect the right to peaceful protest, restore freedom of movement and ensure that no person was detained except in accordance with the procedure established by law. The bench also directed that metro and railway services operate normally, internet connectivity remain undisturbed and restrictions around court complexes be removed to ensure access to justice.
In further updates, Rai sought the listing of the SCBA’s fresh petition on Tuesday, when the court is scheduled to hear the other batch of matters arising from the protests. The CJI agreed to list the plea but asked the Bar to ensure that the court’s functioning was not affected.
On top of that, “Alright, we will list it. But you must also see that democratic activities take place smoothly. There is no difficulty with that. But just see to it that at least the Supreme Court functioning is not affected,” shared the CJI.
When Rai pointed out that the lawyers were protesting peacefully, the CJI reiterated his concern about the institution being drawn into the political contest surrounding the demonstrations.
Source: Hindustan Times