Supreme Court Sunday Hearing Against Detentions & Curbs During Delhi Protests [Live Updates]
Another counsel: We are seeking for AoRs, members, former members...what has been done...
Hegde: This court operates through its AoRs. Access to justice is also access to lawyers. If lawyers are prevented from doing their duties, it's this court's dignity that is directly impacted. SG is leader of the Bar. He must ensure that every lawyer can access his clients and provide assistance at police stations. yesterday, lawyers were beaten in police stations. policemen threatened lawyers with FIR.
Counsel: we were not able to access internet at all yesterday.
J Bagchi: Mr Venugopal has indicated scope of
Gopal S: As of today, without waiting for notices, we are requesting that free movement be completely restored. All barricades be removed. Metros be restored. they feel 47 is okay. No changes in trains made by them. People have to be brought to account about this. Police without badges should not have been permitted. I flagged this earlier - it has gone to Committee. We hope your lordships will direct. Those who are responsible should be held responsible!
Gopal S: What I have handed over - is in pendrive. Video screen-grabs. action against lawyers - including shadan were detained. Well outside parameter of Jantar Mantar. Even right now S. 163 has been imposed out side Supreme Court. It's reported in LiveLaw also. It's shocking. Nature of violence being perpetrated-it's not even a question of proportionate. First, necessity is to be seen. Unarmed children - to beat, kick them...scuffle with them uncalled for. We are finding several videos - these people wear it as a badge of courage. This is something which has raised many emotions amongst us. It's come so close to the door.
Sr Adv Hariharan: Practicing lawyers can't move around city. Pictures are self-explanatory
J Bagchi: You made your mention. It's not part of contempt petition
Sr Adv Shoeb Alam: Only request is ...
J Bagchi: Addl. evidence/papers...as soon as you take out application
Gopal S: I want to clarify - what my friend is showing is on record in contempt petition. Pg. 6. Young advocate, practicing.
J Bagchi: Just mentioned, can we pass order against them today?
Sibal: In Manoj Jha's petition, we have interim prayer
Farasat: SCAORA has moved petition. I was also brutalized yesterday. Question is not only about lawyers. We don't have spl. rights as lawyers. Yesterday, situation in city was remarkably SUPPRESSIVE. Person was not allowed to stand there also. I was thrown in a moving bus after I was picked up. It's about citizens' right to protest. The sense I got - yesteday, we were one step away from POLICE STATE. Kindly restore citizens' right to protest peacefully in the capital. Yesterday that right it was destroyed
SG: Are we supposed to submit on merits ?
J Bagchi: Mr Solicitor, we'll call upon you.
J Bagchi: We know Mr SG you are handicapped by non-availability of [petitions]...
Counsels list out the different petitions filed
Sibal: They are picking up people from trains, people outside 4 km radius...there's 4 km embargo. Then suspension of internet. Covered by Anuradha Bhasin case...45 metro stations kept closed despite orders. Part of contempt
J Bagchi: We know things have really disturbed all of you. That's why all of you are here. Not to trivialize
Sibal: Pg, 86 - we seek interim relief.
KK Venugopal: I am appearing in Diary No...
J Bagchi: You are seeking issuance of rule of contempt? We have already got a petition for similar relief. We propose to post your matter on Monday
Venugopal: Please issue notice
J Bagchi: We will come to that after hearing SG. You would like a response and a posting of the matter...we can give 2 options - one, we post as fresh matter on Monday, or when we hear other listed matter, we combine yours with that
Venugopal: Please issue notice. Let them filer reply on Monday
Sibal argues now: Much larger issues than contempt. We must thank you for this sitting.
J Bagchi: There is nothing to thank. We are always at service of the nation. Detention - there's habeas corpus by Dr Menaka. manoj jha petition [...].
J Bagchi: We understand that there are no. of lawyers...who wish to make unlisted mentionings. We wouldn't like to create inconvenience to any lawyer or deny anyone hearing. We propose to go from right to left and give everyone opportunity if they are making oral mentioning. Thereafter, we will take up listed matters. Yes Mr Farasat?
Gopal S: Mr KK Venugopal is online
J Bagchi: Let's begin with Mr Venugopal. We understand points are common. We will get back to SG after all
SG Mehta: If request is for getting listed, I can't have objection.
Bench to assemble shortly. Access to virtual meeting allowed.
Sr Advs Sanjay Hegde and Shadan Farasat also appearing for petitioners.