[Tweets on Tripura riots] Show deference to our order, don't harass petitioners: Supreme Court to Tripura govt

The Supreme Court on Monday berated the Tripura government for not complying with the Court's directions granting interim protection to journalist Samiullah Shabbir Khan who had tweeted about the recent communal violence in the State..A Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant expressed its displeasure after the petitioner told the Court that he was issued notice by Tripura Police asking him to pull down his tweets and ordering him to be present for investigation."When we have passed an order, how dare you not implement it.... At least show deference to our order when we have handled an issue," the Court told Tripura counsel.The Court asked the State not to harass the petitioner and also warned that it will ask Home Secretary of the State to be personally present for hearing if the Court's orders are not complied with."We will ask your home secretary and other officers to be present on the screen next time (if orders are not complied)," the Bench cautioned.The Court had on January 10, restrained the Tripura Police from taking any further action against Khan for his tweets.When the matter was taken up today, the petitioner's counsel Shahrukh Alam told the Court that he received such notice despite Court granting them protection earlier. "We will be scrambling to mention all matters before you since such notices have been issued to other petitioners too. Kindly grant us protection," Alam said."Please ask them to file a petition before us and then we hear it after two weeks," the Bench responded. Alam then said that the process itself will become the punishment."I was asked to be present today.....The process becomes a punishment," he submitted."Please ask your officers to not harass the petitioners like this. Everyone cannot come to Supreme Court," the Court told Tripura counsel.Solicitor General Tushar Mehta then intervened and stated that the Court's order will be complied with."I assure this bench that the order of this court will be respected with utmost sanctity," he said."Then it's fine," the Bench said before posting the matter for hearing after two weeks.The earlier order that refraining the State from taking coercive action will continue in the meanwhile.