SC issues notice to Centre, Delhi govt objects to Shaheen Bagh protesters blocking Road. SC says protesters cannot block roads

New Delhi, Feb 10 (HS): The Supreme Court On Monday has said that the protesters could not block the public roads and create inconvenience for others. The SC has issued a notice to Centre, Delhi government and police on pleas seeking removal of protesters from Shaheen Bagh.
While hearing petitions in this regard, the Apex court observed, “If you want to protest, there can be some area where you protest. You cannot block a public road. Can you block a public area? There must be defined areas of protest.”
Refusing to pass any directions on Shaheen Bagh’s issue, the Court has said that it would hear another side as well before passing any order. The Supreme Court listed the matter for hearing on February 17. “If it’s lasted for 58 days, you can wait one more week,” the Supreme Court observed.
The Supreme Court had earlier refused to hear the pleas on Shaheen Bagh matter saying that the court would hear the matter after Delhi Assembly polls as it did not want to “influence” the polls.
The plea that has been filed in the Supreme Court has said that the State has the duty to protect fundamental rights of the citizen who were continuously being harassed by the blockage of the arterial road, the plea had said.
Advocate Amit Sahni, who has filed an appeal in the SC against the January 14 order of the high court directing the police to deal with the situation keeping in mind law and order, had said due to the protests since December 15 last year traffic flow on Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch has been badly affected.
It said the law enforcement machinery was being “held hostage to the whims and fancies of the protesters” who have blocked vehicular and pedestrian movement from the road connecting Delhi to Noida.
Hindusthan Samachar/Manish