Supreme Court To Hear Tomorrow Andhra Pradesh's Challenge Against HC Stay On Govt Order Restricting Public Meetings On Roadsides

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear tomorrow the petition filed by State of Andhra Pradesh challenging the High Court order staying the Govt Order which restricted public meetings on roadsides.

After State's counsel Advocate Mahfooz Nazki mentioned the matter seeking urgent listing,Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud agreed to list it tomorrow. Advocate Amit Pai, appearing for respondent on caveat, informed the bench that the stay is expiring on next Monday.

The subject matter of the dispute is GO No.1 issued by the State Government to restrict public meetings, after 11 people lost their lives in two stampedes during events addressed by TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu.

CPI State secretary K Ramakrishna had challenged GO 1 in the High Court stating that it amounted to "blanket ban" on public meetings resulting in the infringement of the right to people’s freedom of expression.

A Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Justices Battu Devanand and V.R.K Krupa Sagar, stayed operation of the G.O. till January 23. Challenging the High Court order, the State filed Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court contending that a regulatory measure was needed so as to avoid loss of lives in stampede-like events. The State denied that there was a blanket ban and contended that GO only merely advised the police to refrain from granting permission for public assemblies on public roads and road margins, unless there are exceptional circumstances.