Delhi’s Tis Hazari Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the Delhi Police over the arrest of Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad, who was arrested from outside Jama Masjid last month amid anti-CAA protests.
During the hearing of Azad’s bail plea, Sessions Judge Kamini Lau asked the public prosecutor if Jama Masjid was in Pakistan that protests cannot be held there.
“What is wrong with dharna? What is wrong with protesting? It is one’s constitutional right to protest,” she asked Additional Public Prosecutor, Pankaj Bhatia, who was representing the Delhi Police.
Slamming the Delhi Police, the court said that people can carry out peaceful protests anywhere. “Jama Masjid is not in Pakistan where we are not allowed to protest. Peaceful protests take place in Pakistan as well,” it said.
Replying to prosecutor’s arguement that prior orders are needed to protest, the court said Judge Lau countered it and said that even the Supreme Court has said that repeated use of Section 144 is abuse of power.
The matter has been adjourned for Wednesday.
Chendrashekhar Azad was sent to judicial custody on December 21 by a Delhi court. His outfit, Bhim Army, had organised a march from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar against the Citizenship Amendment Act, despite not having permission.
Source: dnaindia.com