The Supreme Court Today (Dec 9) dismissed a plea seeking directions to the Centre and other authorities to immediately clear blockades on national and state highways in Punjab where farmers are staging protests. A bench of justices Surya Kant and Manmohan said the matter is already pending before the court and it cannot entertain repetitive petitions on the same issue.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking urgent directives for the removal of blockades on national and state highways in Punjab, where farmers have been staging protests.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Manmohan emphasized that the matter was already under judicial consideration, rejecting the need for repetitive petitions.
“We are already examining the larger issue. You are not the only conscience keeper of society. Don’t file repetitive petitions. Some are filing for publicity interest and some are filing to play to the gallery. We cannot entertain repetitive petitions on the same issue,”
-the bench remarked, addressing petitioner Gaurav Luthra, a self-proclaimed social activist based in Punjab.
The court further declined Luthra’s request to club his plea with the ongoing case, asserting the redundancy of such efforts.
Farmers’ Protests: The Current Scenario
Farmers, under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13. Their march to Delhi was halted by security forces, prompting them to camp at these locations.
The petition alleged that the protesting farmers and their unions have indefinitely blocked several national and state highways in Punjab. It urged the court to issue directions ensuring that
“national highways and railway tracks are not blocked by the agitating farmers.”
The Supreme Court’s stance indicates a careful approach, balancing the larger judicial review with the need to discourage frivolous or repetitive litigation, even amidst critical public interest matters like the farmers’ protests.
This development underscores the ongoing complexities in resolving the standoff between the government and the protesting farmer groups while safeguarding public convenience.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Farmers’ Protests
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