Brief
Supreme Court hears pleas over Delhi police crackdown on CJP protesters
Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana heard challenges to detentions and a contempt petition after the CJP rally.
By Felo News Desk · Published
A two‑judge special bench of the Supreme Court of India started hearing a batch of pleas on Sunday, Oct 11, concerning the Delhi Police crackdown on Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demonstrators during an Oct 10 rally.
What happened
The bench, comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, heard petitions contesting the detention of protesters by police and paramilitary forces, as well as a contempt petition alleging wilful disobedience of the court’s earlier directions.
What the reports add
The court said it would allow any lawyer who wishes to make an unlisted mention of pleas to do so, moving "from right to left (in the Bar) and give an opportunity to hear every party," according to the New Indian Express report.
What was said
Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, appearing for a petitioner, told the bench that young people were exercising a constitutional right to protest because they believed the election system was unfair. She asked, “So is State saying they have brought in an unimposed Emergency?” referencing Article 358 and Article 19.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal noted that the events occurred only a day after the M. A. Baby case, pointing to arrests from trains and outside the four‑kilometre zone.
Senior advocate Shadan Farasat said he and several lawyers had been assaulted the previous day, describing the capital as “remarkably suppressive” and claiming he was thrown into a moving bus. He warned the court that the situation was "one step away from a police state" and urged restoration of the right to peaceful protest.
How it came about
The Supreme Court hearing follows a series of police actions during the CJP protest, including mass detentions reported by Felo News on Oct 2, Oct 9, and Oct 10, such as the arrest of activist Aishe Ghosh at Bangla Sahib Gurdwara and the detention of nearly 1,000 demonstrators at Jantar Mantar.
Key facts
- A two‑judge Supreme Court bench began hearing pleas on Oct 11 over the Delhi police crackdown on CJP protesters. (newindianexpress.com)
- Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana are hearing challenges to detentions and a contempt petition. (newindianexpress.com)
- Senior advocates Menaka Guruswamy, Kapil Sibal and Shadan Farasat presented arguments, citing constitutional rights and alleged police assaults. (newindianexpress.com)
Sources
- [1] newindianexpress.com — originally reported as “SC begins hearing pleas against Delhi police crackdown on CJP protesters”
