Lakhimpur Kheri Incident- "When Such Events Happen, Nobody Takes Responsibility": Supreme Court

The Attorney General for India KK Venugopal on Monday mentioned the recent violent incident of Lakhimpur Kheri before the Supreme Court, calling it an 'unfortunate incident'.

A Bench comprising Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice CT Ravikumar orally observed that when events like these happen, no one takes responsibility.

" When such events happen nobody takes responsibility.  Damage to property and physical damage caused and no one takes responsibility" Justice Khanwilkar said.

"And deaths also" Justice CT Ravikumar added

While making his submissions on issue pertaining to protests being held against the three farm laws, AG stated that when a large number of petitions have already been filed challenging the laws before the Top Court, the should be no protests.

"We have seen the unfortunate incident happened yesterday at Lakhimpur Kheri" he said.

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta submitted that "Once the matter is before highest constitutional court, no one should be on roads. They must trust us."

"Protests must be stopped," AG said.

"The Government has made it very clear they are not going to withdraw the three laws, so the only choice is for them to take forward their challenge to the three laws" AG added. 

"Protest why when the law is not in force at all? And the court has kept it in abeyance. There is a stay.." the Bench remarked.

The Bench also expressed its disapproval towards protests being sought to be held even when petitions challenging the farm laws are already pending before the Constitutional Court.

"We are on principle, once you go to court and challenge executive action, how can same party say, that matter is before court, nevertheless i will still protest" the Bench remarked.

The bench made these remarks while hearing a writ petition filed by "Kisan Mahapanchayat" seeking issuance of directions to the authorities under the Central Government, Lieutenant Governor and Commissioner Delhi Police ("Respondents") to allow the Mahapanchayat to stage Satyagraha at Jantar Mantar as permitted to Sanyukt Kisan Morcha farmers.

The Court has adjourned the hearing to October 20 to consider the legal issue if a person can exercise right to protest when the issue is sub judice before the Court.

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