Petitions against #ShaheenBaghProtests: #SupremeCourt: Judges observe that the question is where can they protest? Can they protest on streets? We aren't saying people don't have a right to protest even when the law is under challenge before this court but where to protest?
"If everybody starts blocking roads even when they have genuine grievances, where will that take us," says Justice SK Kaul.
"Our concern is limited. This is today one section of people, tomorrow there can be another section on a different situations. Everybody will be on roads."
This will create chaos, remarks the #SupremeCourt while asserting that roads can't be blocked howsoever genuine grievances are. As former Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah seeks an audience too, judges ask him why doesn't he persuade the #ShaheenBaghProtesters.
SG Tushar Mehta: Even ambulances aren't being allowed. There are huge problems being faced by the commuters. Women & children are being put up as shields there. We have been trying to reach out but the entire city has been held to a hostage under the garb of protests.
#SupremeCourt asks senior lawyer Sanjay Hegde to speak to the protesters as an interlocutor. Courts says reasons must prevail on the other side too (#ShaheenBagh protesters). It adds that Hegde should be able to play a constructive role in persuading protesters.
Advocate Sadhna Ramachandran is also asked by the #SupremeCourt to meet the protesters & persuade them. The judges say they are hopeful protesters will see the reason.
SG Tushar Mehta: Let a message not go that police is on its knees before them.
Justice Joseph: The you could have taken steps even before this matter was here. Why didn't you act in last 68 days?
"We will leave it to the authorities if our endeavour doesn't borne any results."
#SupremeCourt suggests #DelhiPolice may also offer an alternative site to the protesters at #ShaheenBagh. While SG Mehta says protesters can't continue blocking roads on ground of not getting an alternative site, judges say authorities should favourably consider this.
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Sadhguru's Isha Foundation moves the #SupremeCourt, challenging the Madras HC order that led to police personnel entering the ashram to conduct inquiries. Central government supports the petition.
Sr adv Mukul Rohatgi seeks an urgent hearing today.
Rohatgi to SC: There's someone behind all this. The habeas corpus petition filed by the mother of two women, who are now monks, was disposed of 8 years ago. Now, the father comes back and despite the monks expressing their desire to stay put, the high court ordered inquiry.
#CJI enquires if the two women are online.
Rohatgi says the women are connected online and are willing to make a statement right away.
#SupremeCourt reproaches the #Kerala Govt over #lockdown relaxations owing to #Bakrid. SC calls it shocking state of affairs that the state government gave in to pressure groups.
SC adds affidavit by the #Kerala Govt is alarming & doesn't in real manner safeguards right to life guaranteed to all the citizens of #India.
#SupremeCourt underlines if there is any spread of the infection due to the relaxations by the #Kerala Govt owing to #Bakrid, any person can bring it to the notice of the court which will then take appropriate action.
Hearing to commence before the #SupremeCourt on suo motu on the #KanwarYatra.
An application has been filed in this matter by @pkdnambiar against relaxation of lockdown norms in #Kerala for #Bakrid celebrations.
Hearing begins. Court goes through the latest affidavit by the #UttarPradesh Govt, cancelling the #KanwarYatra.
Sr adv CS Vaidyanathan reads out the affidavit that states that kanwar sanghs have themselves decided not to have the #KanwarYatra & hence, no orders from the state disaster management authority is required.
Of 527 pages on acquittal of Tarun Tejpal, #Goa judge Kshama M Joshi has used around 400 pages, dissecting testimony of the complainant in arriving at how an 'educated journalist' should've known whether she 'pulled up' her underwear or 'picked up'.
Goa court scans the complainant's phone & messages to note that "it was entirely the norm" for her to have flirtatious relationships & sexual conversations with friends & acquaintances.
Since she refused to give access to her email citing concerns of privacy when her phone details had already been used to humiliate her over her personal details, #Goa judge holds that she "wants to hide something."
#SupremeCourt issues notices to #WestBengal Govt & Centre on a PIL for a SIT probe into post-poll violence in the state & massive displacement of people.
SC also seeks responses from national commissions for women & children on providing relief in camps etc. Next hearing in June
Another petition filed by families of two #BJP supporters allegedly killed by #TMC workers will also be taken up by the #SupremeCourt later today.
#WestBengal Govt, through sr adv Sidharth Luthra, points out that post-poll violence matter is already pending before a five-judge bench in the #Calcutta HC and hence, the #SupremeCourt may not need to hear this matter at this juncture.
#SupremeCourt commences hearing of its suo motu proceedings on ameliorating the conditions of migrant workers during the #COVID19 induced #lockdown.
It expresses displeasure at Centre not submitting its affidavit in time.
"You were directed to file your affidavit a day before the hearing but you have done it just now. Our orders are meant to be compiled with," SC tells Centre.
Adv Prashant Bhushan, appearing on behalf of some activists, addresses the shortcomings in replies filed by states.
SC clarifies it hasn't directed states to grant cash transfer in lieu of dry ration after Bhushan mentions that court also wanted to know about cash transfers.
As he talks about cooked food, SC observes the situation doesn't appear to be as grave as last year for migrant workers