Supreme Court Asks Punjab to Respond to Petition on Protestors at Chandigarh-Mohali Border
New Delhi, July 19: The Supreme Court of India has asked the Punjab government and others to respond to a petition challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s order to remove protestors from the border of Chandigarh and Mohali YPS Chowk. The bench, including Justices BR Gavai, KV Viswanathan, and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh, issued the notice and tagged the matter with other similar petitions.
The court has sought responses from various parties, including Arrive Safe Society, Punjab State, the Punjab’s Director General of Police, SAS Nagar Mohali’s Deputy Commissioner, and SAS Nagar Mohali’s Superintendent of Police.
The petition, filed by Kaumi Insaaf Morcha through advocate Satya Mitra, challenges the High Court’s April 9, 2024 order. The petitioners argue that the protestors are not obstructing traffic and are peacefully demonstrating for the release of Sikh prisoners who have served their sentences but remain in jail.
The protestors, under the banner of Kaumi Insaaf Morcha, have been demonstrating for over 1.5 years. They demand the release of prisoners like Gurdeep Singh Khera and Devender Pal Singh Bhullar, who have been in prison for over 31 and 26 years, respectively. They also seek the transfer of Jagtar Singh Hawara from Delhi to Punjab and the expeditious conclusion of trials for other prisoners.
The petition emphasizes that the protest is peaceful and does not disturb public tranquility, and it calls for the state and central governments to address the protestors’ demands.
Doubts Revealed
Supreme Court -: The Supreme Court is the highest court in India. It makes important decisions about laws and justice.
Punjab -: Punjab is a state in northern India. It has its own government and is known for its rich culture and history.
Petition -: A petition is a formal request made to a court or government. People use petitions to ask for changes or to solve problems.
Protestors -: Protestors are people who gather to show their disagreement with something. They often hold signs and chant slogans.
Chandigarh-Mohali Border -: Chandigarh is a city that serves as the capital of both Punjab and Haryana. Mohali is a nearby city in Punjab. The border is the area where these two places meet.
Punjab and Haryana High Court -: The Punjab and Haryana High Court is a court that makes legal decisions for the states of Punjab and Haryana.
Kaumi Insaaf Morcha -: Kaumi Insaaf Morcha is a group that fights for justice for the Sikh community. They are the ones who filed the petition.
Sikh prisoners -: Sikh prisoners are people who follow the Sikh religion and are in jail. The protestors want those who have finished their sentences to be released.