Delhi protests: SC on Tuesday to hear pleas on attacks on protesters, lawyers

CJP protesters detained during a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear two separate pleas on Tuesday concerning the October 10 and 11 protests in Delhi, including allegations of attacks on lawyers and protesters and disruptions to the functioning of courts.A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mahadevan said it would not allow the court to become a political battleground while agreeing to list a plea seeking action against alleged hooligans accused of attacking lawyers and protesters.‘Private hooligans are not being stopped’: Senior advocate seeks actionSenior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan mentioned a plea seeking action against alleged hooligans who, he said, were attacking lawyers, young people and other protesters without facing police action.He also raised concerns over videos purportedly showing the alleged attackers recording their actions and proudly displaying them.“Private hooligans are not being stopped. They are making videos and proudly proclaiming what they have done. I am shocked. I’ve never seen a senior advocate being dragged on the streets. At some point, the Bench will have to come to the rescue of the Bar and young children,” Sankaranarayanan said.

Referring to restrictions imposed under Section 163, he urged the court to ask the police to exercise restraint.“At a time when our senior advocates are being dragged through the streets, at such times I must urge the Court to convey to the police to exercise restraint,” he said.

SCBA seeks protection for lawyersSeparately, the SCBA mentioned its plea seeking directions to ensure that lawyers can move freely and court proceedings are not disrupted during protests.SCBA president and senior advocate Pradeep Rai said political parties should not interfere with lawyers’ work or affect the functioning of courts.CJI Surya Kant said he had already appealed to the authorities to ensure there was no impediment to court functioning or the movement of lawyers amid the restrictions imposed during the protests.The matters are now scheduled to be heard on Tuesday.