Inflated water bill issue: AAP moves Delhi HC for permission to hold protest at Jantar Mantar

Feb 22, 2024

New Delhi [India], February 22 : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has moved Delhi High Court against Delhi Police for not granting permission to hold protest at Jantar Mantar in regards to alleged hurdles being put before the implementation of the Delhi Jal Board's One-Time Settlement Scheme for water bill arrears.
Plea alleged that the Delhi Police erroneously and arbitrarily declined the request of the petitioner to hold a peaceful protest on February 25 at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi which is in violation of the Fundamental Right of the petitioner.
According to the plea, AAP is exercising its fundamental right guaranteed under Article 19(1)(b) of the Constitution of India which forms an essential part of the democracy and to perform peaceful protest on February 25 at Jantar Mantar had requested permission by letter dated February 17 from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, wherein submitted that the said protest will be attended by the Chief Minister of Delhi, Ministers of Delhi Government and MLAs' of the Aam Aadmi Party with a gathering of around 800 which was erroneously and arbitrarily declined and that the fundamental right as guaranteed under Article 19 of the
Constitution of India forms an essential part of the democracy and the same cannot be taken away summarily by a blanket and prohibitory order issued under Section 144 of the CrPC 1973.
Justice Subramonium Prasad bench is scheduled to hear the matter on Friday.
It is submitted that by virtue of Section 144 of the CrPC there cannot be complete prohibition on demonstrations etc but after taking into consideration the request, the permission can be granted by laying down proper parameters, stated the plea.