The Delhi High Court issued a stern warning on Wednesday against organizing any protests within the premises of the capital’s courts, particularly in anticipation of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legal cell’s call for a demonstration following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate.
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora raised concerns about the feasibility of holding protests within court premises.
Justice Manmohan emphasized the potential severity of consequences for orchestrating protests within the court, stating, “Consequences are very severe for organizing a protest in court.”
Following a lawyer’s mention of his complaint against the AAP legal cell’s protest call, which he had emailed at midnight, and his request for a hearing, the Court indicated a possible consideration of the matter on the following day. Additionally, it cautioned lawyers intending to protest within the court premises, highlighting that serious repercussions would ensue, applying the legal principles established by the Supreme Court.
The Court underscored that litigants must not be obstructed from accessing the courts, reiterating established legal norms. Justice Manmohan emphasized, “You cannot take away someone’s fundamental right to approach the court. If someone does it, he will do it at their own peril, and we will take action if required.”
Meanwhile, the AAP legal cell has called for a protest on the same day, urging lawyers to assemble at all district courts around 12:30 PM to protest Kejriwal’s arrest.
In contrast, the Bar Council of India has urged the legal fraternity to refrain from staging protests in the courts. In a press release, the BCI Chairman and Senior Advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, considering various media reports, appealed to legal professionals in Delhi to avoid unwarranted agitation or succumbing to divisive politics. He emphasized upholding the integrity and dignity of the legal profession, urging restraint until a competent court unequivocally establishes Kejriwal’s innocence or declares his arrest unjust or unlawful.