Supreme Court takes suo motu cognizance to stop involvement of children and infants in protests

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of a plea to restrain the involvement of children and infants in protest demonstrations, in light of the tragic passing of a four-month old infant in the Shaheen Bagh protests..After news of the death of the infant surfaced, a twelve-year-old bravery award winner form Mumbai, Zen Sadavarte, had written a letter to Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, flagging the issue concerning involvement of children in protests..Involvement of children in protests against child rights: 12 year old bravery award winner moves SC after infant's death at Shaheen Bagh.Taking suo motu cognizance of the issue, the Supreme Court is tentatively scheduled to hear the matter on Monday, February 10..Sadavarte had written to the Supreme Court terming the inclusion of children and infants in protests as "amounting to torture and cruelty.".Delhi's Shaheen Bagh area has been converted into a protest site against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 passed by Parliament. As the protest crosses the 50-day mark, an infant who was brought to the protest site reportedly succumbed to bitter cold and congestion after being exposed to the winter chill..Sadavarte had argued that the organizers of the Shaheen Bagh protests as well as the infant's parents failed to protect the rights of the deceased infant. Further, an investigation into the death was also urged for by Sadavarte..Claiming that the police failed to take cognizance of the involvement of children in the protests, Sadavarte had prayed for the Apex Court to direct authorities to prevent such involvement of children..Earlier, a BJP leader had moved the Supreme Court seeking removal of protesters from the Shaheen Bagh protest site on account of the obstruction caused due to blockage the Kalindi Kunj road that connects Delhi with Noida..The order of the Delhi High Court directing the local authorities to deal with the protesters at Shaheen Bagh in accordance with law has also been challenged before the Supreme Court, on account of absence of any specific directions.