Supreme Court Seeks Government Reasons for Prohibitory Orders and Issues Notices on Petitions

UPDATE - follow-up to Anti-CEC protest LIVE | SC directs the preservation of CCTV footage, including in the apex court premises: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices on multiple petitions. These petitions challenge the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision exercise and mass detentions during anti-CEC protests in Delhi. The court asked the Union government to explain the reasons and circumstances behind prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS.

Police Actions And Claims

Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar stated that preventive measures on October 10 relied on intelligence inputs and the changing ground situation to stop public disorder. Meanwhile, Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta denied that journalists' devices had been seized, and the court asked him to confirm this in a counter affidavit. Justice J Bagchi noted that unauthorized device seizures should not happen and that the court will examine who qualifies as a journalist.

Arguments In Court

Senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia claimed a pregnant woman journalist was pushed by Rahul Gandhi and accused petitioners of selective outrage, while senior advocate Indira Jaising stated Mr. Bhatia was bringing politics into the courtroom. Mr. Bhatia and Mahesh Jethmalani also accused petitioners of creating a ruckus in court. The Supreme Court ordered that no coercive action be taken against a woman journalist booked for allegedly humiliating police officers and using casteist slurs. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stated that harassment instances cited by the Network of Women in Media, India should be investigated.

New Demonstrations

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke called for a 'Lehra Do Tiranga' gathering at Central Park in Connaught Place on October 16 at 5 p.m. This announcement followed party leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das being sent to five days of judicial custody for allegedly waving the Tricolour at Jantar Mantar.

Context

The Supreme Court regularly examines petitions involving police actions, public demonstrations, and fundamental rights when citizens or organizations challenge official measures. These legal proceedings allow courts to balance public order requirements with individual freedoms like speech, assembly, and press reporting.