SC seeks Centre’s response to plea against anti-CEC protests during festive season

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought responses from the Centre and other authorities on a plea by traders’ organisations seeking an end to the ongoing protests against the chief election commissioner during the festive season, observing that a protest site cannot be occupied indefinitely.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing a batch of petitions, including one filed by the Kirana Committee Delhi, which alleged that the demonstrations at Ramlila Maidan had affected business in the surrounding areas.

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“You can’t occupy a site at all times. Where will farmers, journalists, etc., go? Everyone has the right to protest. Designated time must be given for designated period,” the Chief Justice said.

The petitions also raise concerns over alleged mass detentions, police brutality, the closure of Metro stations and internet shutdowns in connection with the protests.

The bench asked the traders’ organisations to implead the organisers of the anti-CEC protests as parties to their petition, which alleges business losses due to the demonstrations.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the traders, told the court that around 50 lakh people live in areas surrounding the protest site and that shops remained shut, with no one in Connaught Place on Tuesday.Also Read: What BJP is doing to blunt Opposition’s ‘vote chori’ charge

The bench said the court could not adjudicate the issues unless the traders’ organisations made all the protesting groups parties to the proceedings.

The hearing is underway.

On October 15, the same bench had sought responses from the Election Commission and other parties on a petition filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and 12 Opposition leaders alleging large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.