New Delhi, December 9, 2024 – In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court today dismissed a plea seeking immediate clearance of the blockades on national and state highways in Punjab, where farmers have been protesting. The bench, led by Justices Surya Kant and Manmohan, asserted that the matter was already under judicial examination, and the petition was repetitive.
Repetitive Petition Rejected
The court responded sternly to petitioner Gaurav Luthra, a social activist, who sought to direct the Centre and other authorities to clear the ongoing farmer protests. “We are already examining the larger issue,” the bench stated, adding that they could not entertain petitions that simply repeated the same demands. Justice Surya Kant further noted that some petitions were filed for publicity and others to gain attention, dismissing them as not being in the public interest.
Luthra had urged the court to tag his plea with a pending case, but the court refused his request. It pointed out that the ongoing farmer protests were already under the lens of the judiciary and did not warrant separate judicial intervention.
Background of the Protest
Farmers, primarily under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have been staging protests at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, 2024. These protests began when their march to Delhi was halted by security forces. Since then, they have been protesting the government’s agricultural policies, especially the contentious farm laws.
Ongoing Blockades
The plea filed by Luthra claimed that farmers had blocked several national and state highways for an indefinite period, severely impacting road and rail transport. The petitioner sought directions to ensure that the highways and railway tracks were cleared of any obstructions caused by the protests.
Despite the ongoing disruptions, the court made it clear that it would continue to examine the larger issue and emphasized that it would not entertain multiple petitions on the same matter.
Key Points from the Judgment
- Dismissal of Repetitive Plea: The Supreme Court found the plea to be redundant as the issue was already under consideration.
- Public Interest vs. Personal Interest: The court criticized petitioners who filed such petitions for publicity and personal gain.
- Farmers’ Protest Uninterrupted: Despite the plea, the farmer unions remain firm on their demands, with the blockade continuing at key locations in Punjab.
The court’s stance reinforces its commitment to dealing with the larger issue concerning the farmers’ protests through due legal process. As the protests continue, the government’s response and the ongoing judicial proceedings remain pivotal in shaping the future of the protest movement and its resolution.
This coverage emphasizes the latest development in the ongoing farmer protests in Punjab and the Supreme Court’s dismissal of a plea aimed at clearing the blockades. The news is presented with a clear and attractive headline and structured theme, suitable for a newspaper.
