New Delhi, Dec 17, 2020-
The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea seeking aid, treatment and security of farmers who are protesting at the periphery of the national capital against the three new agricultural laws brought in by the central government.
Questioning the petitioner’s counsel, the bench asked if the farmers are protesting outside Delhi then how does this petition fall under the jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court.
“Where are they protesting? Inside Delhi or outside,” a division bench of the high court presided over by Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan questioned advocate Rohit Jha who was appearing for the petitioner.
The court was also informed by Delhi government standing counsel Sanjoy Ghose that the said issue of farmers’ protest is being dealt with by the Supreme Court.
The plea filed by one Ashish through advocate Jha sought indulgence of the high court alleging utter violation of Articles 14,19 (1) (b)& 21 of the farmers under the Constitution by the government of India i.e. Union of India.
The plea sought aid, treatment and security of the farmers and expected an amicable resolution of the present circumstances wherein the present agitation may at any point of time take the face of violent riots.
“Various unavoidable circumstances are seen since the severe protests by the various groups of farmers has started on 25.11.2020, due to the tense situation between the protesting farmers and the police,” it said.
The farmers accumulated at the various borders of NCT Delhi are at high risk of getting infected from COVID-19 as there is no social distancing among the farmers, the plea read.
The petitioner added that most of the protesters are spotted without masks, which is a clear indication that the protesters are least aware about their own safety in the present situation of Covid-19 pandemic.
“It will also create a difficult situation for the residents of NCT Delhi, as the residents of the NCT Delhi are more likely to be affected if there are larger number of COVID-affected protesters and there is a chance of mass spread of coronavirus in the capital of India i.e. NCT Delhi which can make the situation more critical,” the plea claimed.
The court however disposed off the matter with the liberty to file a fresh one. (Agency)
