Delhi High Court Seeks Police Stand On AAP MLAs Plea To Protest Outside Home Minister, LG's Residences

The Single Judge bench of Justice Navin Chawla issued notices to the Delhi government and the police, and sought their stand on the petitions by the two AAP leaders by January 14, who approached the court aggrieved with grant of permission to stage a 4-person protest against the alleged misappropriation of funds to the tune of Rs. 2500 crores by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation.

The Delhi Police, represented by Additional Standing Counsel Gautam Narayan, told the court that permissions were denied to the two AAP MLAs on the basis of a DDMA order prohibiting large gatherings in the city due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

The police also told the court that in accordance with a Supreme Court order, it has issued a standing order prohibiting protests and dharnas in residential areas in the national capital.

The MLAs, along with other AAP leaders, were detained by the police on Dec 13, for attempting to proceed with the planned protest despite the lack of necessary permission from relevant authorities.

Adv Satvik Varma, appearing for the legislators, however said that the DDMA order had also made a reference to the Ministry of Home Affairs' order allowing political activities amid COVID-19, and pleaded that, with gradual opening up political congregations also had been allowed, and that even it only for a limited period, the MLAs wanted to be 'treated in parity with what everyone in the city is doing.'