Essential services hit by protests: Supreme Court to hear plea

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a plea flagging the disruption of essential services during protests/strikes. A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, directed that the plea be tagged with another case concerning venues for protests, rallies and gatherings.

"When protests are underway, essential services are disrupted. We do not know who is a protester and who is not. Ingress and egress are completely disturbed," the counsel for the petitioner argued.

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Speaking for the bench, CJI Surya Kant said there is already a plea pending before the bench pertaining to venues for protests, rallies and similar gatherings. "Let this petition be tagged with that matter. But tell us, how can we issue a direction of this nature. We will hear the matter," CJI Kant verbally remarked.

A plea is already pending with the same bench over the use of Delhi's Jantar Mantar as a site for protests and gatherings.