Unmanned Police Barricades: High Court Seeks Response From Commissioner Of Police, Centre, Delhi Govt, SDMC On Suo Moto PIL

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice on a suo moto Public Interest Litigation registered by it over the issue of setting up of unmanned police barricades in city's Kalkaji and CR Park Police Station areas.

A division bench comprising of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Jasmeet Singh sought response of Commissioner of Police, Union of India through Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi Government and South Delhi Municipal Corporation through its Commissioner.

The matter is registered as a PIL by taking cognizance of a letter addressed by one On Prakash Goel in December last year, claiming to be the President of Delhi Pradeshik Aggarwal Sammelan.

In the said letter which was addressed to the Prime Minister of India, grievances were raised with respect to setting up of unmanned barricades in the areas in question.

Om Prakash had also raised a grievance that such unmanned barricades serves no purpose and are in fact causing blockades of free flow of traffic, resulting in misery and harassment to vehicle owners and general public which lead to long traffic jams and hold ups.

He had also circulated news reports published in the Times of India as well as other Hindi dailies.

"The issue raised by Mr. Om Prakash requires consideration since these unmanned blockades are blockades of roads which prima facie serve no purpose and do indeed cause inconvenience and harassment to public at large," the Court said.

It added "Such barricades also have been used to set up kiosks and for parking vehicles." 

Accordingly, the Court directed issuance of notice to the respondent authorities while posting the matter for further hearing on April 13.

The Court also asked the Delhi Police to place on record the protocol that they follow in relation to setting up of barricades in the city, if any.

"The respondents shall file their respective status reports before the next date of hearing," the Bench added.

Case Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION V. THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND ORS