'Can't Block Public Road': SC On Shaheen Bagh Protest; Next Hearing On Feb 17

The Supreme Court on Monday said the anti-CAA protesters at Delhi's Shaheen Bagh cannot block public roads indefinitely and create inconvenience for others.

The apex court issued notices to the Centre, Delhi government and police on pleas seeking removal of the women-led sit-in protest from Shaheen Bagh.

"There is a law and people have grievance against it. The matter is pending in court. Despite that some people are protesting. They are entitled to protest," a bench comprising justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph said.

"You cannot block the public roads. There cannot be indefinite period of protest in such an area. If you want to protest, it has to be in an area identified for protest," the bench said.

The apex court further said that the protest at Shaheen Bagh has been going on for long but it cannot create inconvenience for others.

The two-judge bench comprising Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice KM Joseph said it would not pass any direction on Shaheen Bagh protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) without hearing the other side and listed the matter for February 17.

The Supreme Court was hearing two public interest litigations (PIL) seeking directions to the Central government for laying down guidelines relating to restrictions for holding protests leading to obstruction to public places.

At the outset, advocate Amit Sahni, one of the petitioners in the case, said that the question in this matter is about the extent of right to protest.

"Is there anybody present from the government's side. We will issue notice," the bench said.

When advocate Shashank Deo Sudhi, appearing for another petitioner and former BJP MLA Nand Kishore Garg, urged the bench to pass some direction, the court said, "It can't be done ex-parte".

Advocate Mehmood Pracha told the court that he wants to intervene in the matter on behalf of Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad.

"Do whatever you feel proper," the bench told Pracha.

(With PTI inputs)