The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked an advocate to approach the Supreme Court with his plea seeking directions to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) to deposit ₹50 crore as interim compensation for the alleged inconvenience and disruption caused to residents of the national capital by its protests.
A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma noted that the Supreme Court is already seized of similar issues.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also said that the apex court is dealing with similar matters.
Therefore, the Court told the petitioner, advocate Rakesh Kumar Saini, that he should approach the top court.
"The judicial discipline warrants that, in such an eventuality, this court must stay its hands away from the proceedings and should not pass conflicting orders," the High Court said in its order.
It then disposed of the public interest litigation (PIL).
Saini had filed a PIL in the High Court seeking directions to the Central government and other authorities to initiate proceedings against the CJP. He sought imposition of a collective or community fine and compensation for affected members of the public.
He alleged that the CJP and its associates violated conditions imposed on protests at Jantar Mantar, resulting in traffic congestion, disruption of daily activities and inconvenience to traders, commuters, office-goers and schoolchildren.
According to the petition, the party was initially permitted to hold a protest against alleged examination paper leaks and the Union Education Minister, but continued occupying the protest site beyond the permitted period. It further alleges that subsequent protest activities, including demonstrations seeking the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, caused disruption in central Delhi.
The petition also sought the appointment of a high-powered committee to invite compensation claims from affected citizens and determine the amounts payable.
Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma and Central Government Standing Counsel (CGSC) Premtosh Mishra appeared for the Central government.