'Delhi Has Become A Symbolic Protest Site': Plea Filed In High Court Against Blockade Of Roads For Alleged Political Protests

A plea has been filed in the Delhi High Court against the blockade of roads, allegedly under the garb of protests by political groups. It is submitted that the same is causing inconvenience and hardships to the general public.

Moved by lawyer Ankur Bhasin, the petition, while citing various recent events, states that the city has become a "symbolic protest site" for various pressure groups causing great inconvenience to the common masses by hampering their daily routine.

"The said exercise leading to traffic jam causes great noise and air pollution in the form of public nuisance which needs to be curbed by the relevant authorities. The genre of protest referred in the present writ petition if left unregulated would render nation's loss and leave an irreparable adverse impact upon the global image of the nation," the plea reads.

The petition, which was originally listed for hearing on January 11 before Justice Rekha Palli, has been directed to be listed on January 24 before an appropriate bench. The Court was of the view that the relief sought in the petition was in the nature of a Public Interest Litigation.

"In the light of the aforesaid, list the present petition before the Bench dealing with Public Interest Litigation on 24.01.2022, subject to the orders of Hon'ble the Chief Justice," the Court ordered.

Highlighting a personal experience, the petitioner states that earlier this month, while moving towards a government medical facility after falling ill, he witnessed that the entire crossing at City's Azadpur flyover area was choked due to the protestors and politicians.

"Police personnel too reflected their inability to assist owing to chakka-jam (mass blockade) in Delhi by Bhartiya Janta Party," it adds.

The petitioner had then crossed the Flyover by walk and arranged for other transport facility to reach the medical facility.

"Since Petitioner's and other common citizens' fundamental right of Right to Life (Article 21) has been violated, as such the present petition is filed before this Hon'ble Court to secure the roads from ever being blocked for the purposes of protest since the same not only causes hardships to general public but also to emergency services like AMBULANCE and FIRE as direct routes are put to hold by blockade," the plea reads.

It also urges Court to take suo-moto cognizance of the illegal putting up of hoardings by Adesh Gupta, city President of Bhartiya Janta Party, on roads, passages, encouraging blockade of roads and attempting to create mass gathering.

It also seeks directions for taking necessary action against the respondents for permitting blockade of roads being in violation of directions passed by the Supreme Court in Amit Sahni v. Commissioner of Police.

It also seeks an independent enquiry against political groups and personnel holding blockade of roads under the garb of protest at Delhi and more particularly at Azadpur Chowk under the supervision of a retired Judge of the High Court.

Case Title: Ankur Bhasin v. UOI & Ors.