"Farmers/Protestors Put The Entire Capital In Ransom": Plea In Delhi HC Seeks To Deploy Paramilitary Forces To Ensure Safety Of Life And Property Of Citizens

A Writ Petition in the form of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking removal of "people squatting" under the garb of Kisan Agitation, putting adequate para military forces to ensure safety of life and property and removal of the present Commissioner of Police from his post including punishing other police officers who had failed to discharge their duty efficiently.

The petition has been filed by one Dhananjai Jain, a resident of New Delhi through Advocate Bhoop Singh.

According to the petitioner, the farmers agitation, which was going on for last so many days, took an aggravated and violent turn followed by the farmers reaching the interiors of Delhi armed with "weapons, hockey sticks, swords and other assault weapons" disturbing the peace and law and order and tranquility in the city.

"Protestors and farmers put the entire capital to ransom and the whole life of capital was brought to stand still. It raised serious alarm and anxiety amongst the citizens and in particular those living in Delhi. The news reports and electronic media reveals that the mob had taken to absolute violence and the police personnel were beaten and chased away leaving the entire Red Fort under siege of the mob and protestors." The plea states.

According to the plea, it was due to lack of timely decision making by the Commissioner and other highly placed officials of Delhi Police that the police post at the Red Fort was abandoned by the police.

"Despite the police being chased away by the protesters brandishing swords and other weapons of assault the higher officials of the police did not wield appropriate force to deter and disperse the mob of protestors resulting into structure of the token of sovereignty of India namely the Red Fort being put .under siege by the protesters. The national monument and national flag was humiliated by hoisting the flag of the protestors." the plea states.

The petition makes the Union of India, Ministry of Home Affairs and Commissioner of Police, Delhi as respondents in the matter.

Prayer of the petitioner:

1. Respondents to immediately remove people squatting under the garb of Kissan Agitation and clear all the roads and public places after removing them.

2. Put adequate para-military forces to protect important monuments and to ensure safety of life and property of citizens of Delhi and restore feeling of confidence and security amongst them.

3. Remove respondent no. 2 present Commissioner of Police from his post and punish all the police officers who failed in discharging their duty.