The Punjab and Haryana High Court in the case Arrive Safe Society v. State Of Punjab & Ors observed and has stated that the protestors of Qaumi Insaf Morcha, who have been on an indefinite protest for weeks near Chandigarh-Mohali border and the court cannot allow for all the time to come.
The division bench comprising of Justice Augustine G. Masih and Justice Harpreet Singh Brar in the case observed and has stated that it hopes and it expects that the authorities succeed in the negotiations with the agitators. Thus, the court stressed that there has been an end to all this.
The court in the case also stated that what transpires is that the force, which is being required to take action, is ready and is willing but there it is appeared to be some in decision which being on the part of the authorities in order to take action. The said court in the case hope and also excepts that the authorities succeed in the negotiations with the agitators but after then there has to be an end to all this. The court cannot allow to continue for all time to come.
The court was also informed by Punjab Advocate General Vinod Ghai and UT Chandigarh’s Public Prosecutor Ashu Mohan Punchhi that the efforts to amicably resolve the issue are in process and they are quit hopeful and thus, the matter would be settled and the agitation put to an end.
The court in the case observed during the hearing of the plea moved by NGO Arrive Safe Society for removal of the encroachment by protestors around the YPS Chowk in Mohali. The counsel, Advocate Ravi Kamal Gupta, representing the petitioner submitted before the court that the recent death which occurred at the protest site. Thus, it has also been requested by the Punjab AJ for time to seek instructions and provide the court with information about the cause of the person’s death.
Facts of the Case:
In the present case, the public interest litigation was moved in March, 2023 by the Arrive Safe Society, which works on the development of the road safety programs and which being against the Dharna led by Quami Insaf Morcha. It has also been alleged in the PIL that the protest has been going on since January 2023, wherein causing inconvenience to the general public who need medical facilities, and for the school going students.
The petitioner in the plea stated that the members of several Sikh bodies and others are supporting the demands of the morcha, wherein the protestors in the case seek the release of Sikh prisoners, which includes the Balwant Singh Rajoana, who being a convict in former Punjab CM Beant Singh’s assassination. Adding to it, the plea also states that the protestors also demand the release of Devinderpal Singh Bhullar in the year 1993 from the convict of Delhi bomb blast.
The court in the case also asked the State government on 10.03.2023 for giving reasons as to why no steps have been taken for removal of hindrance on the road when there has been made encroachment by the protestors around YPS Chowk, Phase 7 and Phase 3-A of Mohali.
The court in the case also observed that the State is to take all the necessary steps to ensure that none of the roads leading to Chandigarh from Mohali District are, in any manner, being allowed to be obstructed or hindered which leads to the stoppage of traffic movement.
Accordingly, the court listed the matter to be heard on May 17, 2023.
The counsel, Ravi Kamal Gupta appeared for the petitioner.
The counsel, Vinod Ghai,V.G. Jauhar, Ashu Mohan Punchhi represented the respondents.
