No action against peaceful protests, iterates apex court
Times of India | 10 September 2024
Kolkata: Recalling the previous order of Supreme Court on protests, which are taking place across the state demanding justice for the victim of the R G Kar brutal rape-murder, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud reiterated that no action would be taken against peaceful protests.
The bench was hearing a matter on the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, which took place on Aug 9.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the state government, informed the court, “Protests are taking place all over the state. There is no programme that is submitted to the police. There is no route submitted to the police. No permission is being sought from the police. There are protests all over. What do we do?”
He further told the apex court that 41 police personnel have been injured and one has lost his eye permanently. Other advocates, during the conclusion of the hearing, sought protection for other state employees who are part of peaceful protests. The CJI remarked, “We are only concerned (considering the matter in hand) about doctors. We are not concerned about the wider aspect of what govt employees are doing, that’s for the state to handle their employees.”