Farmers Protests: Supreme Court declines to entertain plea to clear Singhu border

The Court opined that the matter is one which has to be heard by the concerned High Court and not the Supreme Court since the High Court would be more aware of the local conditions and issues.
Justices Vikram Nath, DY Chandrachud and Hima Kohli
Justices Vikram Nath, DY Chandrachud and Hima Kohli
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The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a petition by certain residents of Sonepat in Haryana seeking directions to clear the Singhu Border currently occupied by farmers who are protesting against the Farm laws enacted by the Central government.

since it poses a hurdle to travel for essential needs.

A Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Vikram Nath and Hima Kohli opined that the matter is one which has to be heard by the concerned High Court and not the Supreme Court since High Courts would be more aware of the local conditions and also because the matter does not involve gross violation of fundamental rights.

"We can give you permission to withdraw and approach the High court. Why don't you approach the High court being resident of Sonepat? Why are these petitions filed here for publicity. There is no need for us to intervene when High Courts are well versed with the local conditions and what is happening. we should trust High Courts," said the top court.

The petitioners had moved the top court citing difficulties posed to persons travelling to and from Delhi, particularly for essential needs.

When Advocate Abhimanyu Bhandari, appearing for the petitioner, stated that the Singhu Border is the "umbilical chord" for the people travelling from Haryana to Delhi, the Bench stated that the High Court will look into it.

"The petitioner has the freedom to approach the High Court which deals with maintaining a balance with freedom to protest and the freedom to access basic amenities. There is no gross violation of fundamental right. Let us (Supreme Court) not be the court of first recourse," the top court remarked.

The petitioner then sought liberty to approach the High Court but the Supreme Court declined to state anything to that effect in the order.

"Why should we direct the high court to hear? It is a human issue, the High Court will deal with it the best way," the Court said.

The Court also said that while the invitation to interfere in the case was "tempting" , it needs to ask itself whether it would intervene in similar way if a border blockade issue arose in down south.

"The invitation to interfere is tempting, but will we do so if there is a problem with border in Karnataka etc. There is no end to this," said the top court.

The petitioners consequently withdrew the plea.

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