Supreme Court Issues Notice To Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann & AAP Leaders On Chandigarh Admin Plea To Revive FIR Over 2020 Protest

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice on a plea filed by the Chandigarh Administration challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court's decision to quash an FIR against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders in connection with a 2020 protest against the electricity tariff hike.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana heard the matter and sought responses from the respondents.

Appearing for the Chandigarh Administration, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju argued that the High Court had erred in quashing the criminal proceedings despite the allegations disclosing the commission of offences.

"Unlawful assembly was there admittedly. Accused was present. Named in the FIR. Unlawful assembly indulged in violence, injuries caused to police officers. Prima facie offence made out," the ASG submitted.

He further contended that the High Court's reasoning that there could not have been an unlawful assembly in the absence of an order under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure was legally unsustainable.

"The Judge says it can't be unlawful assembly as there was no order under Section 144. Unheard of. Even if he was not involved in any overt act, any act by a member of the assembly is attributable to him," Raju argued.

The case arises from a protest march organised by AAP leaders in 2020 against the hike in electricity tariffs. According to the prosecution, the protest turned violent, resulting in injuries to police personnel, leading to the registration of an FIR for offences including rioting and unlawful assembly.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had quashed the FIR against Mann and the other accused, prompting the Chandigarh Administration to approach the Supreme Court.

After briefly hearing the submissions, the Supreme Court issued notice on the Chandigarh Administration's plea to Mann, and AAP leaders Aman Arora, Daljith Singh Cheema and Maheshinder Singh Grewal.

In an earlier hearing, the Supreme Court had expressed disinclination to revive the case against Mann, saying that "nareebazi" was common for all politicians. In another hearing, the Court had orally commented that there was no allegation that Aman Arora had exhorted violence.

Case Title: U.T CHANDIGARH v. BHAGWANT MANN AND ANR., Diary No. 21434-2026; U.T. CHANDIGARH v. AMAN ARORA, Diary No. 40158-2026