SC refuses to stay VHP-Bajrang Dal rallies, but forbids hate speeches

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to stay rallies announced by VHP-Bajrang Dal in Delhi-NCR following the communal violence in Haryana’s Nuh, but directed that no hate speeches should be made.

A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice S V N Bhatti passed the order.

The Apex Court in its order directed that no hate speeches should be delivered at the rallies on Nuh violence and asked Haryana, UP and Delhi to deploy additional forces wherever required and videograph the rallies.

The Supreme Court passed the orders on a plea seeking a direction to stop the 23 protest marches or rallies announced by VHP-Bajrang Dal in Delhi-NCR following the incidents at Nuh.

Senior advocate Chander Uday Singh, appearing for the petitioner, said 23 protest marches are scheduled to come to the capital and NCR.

"It is very urgent. The situation is very volatile. We have a very unfortunate situation," Singh said and pleaded to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) bench for an urgent hearing into the case earlier.

The CJI Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud-led bench, after hearing the mention by Singh sought papers and said: “We will immediately pass orders on listing the case for hearing”.

The matter was then assigned to the two-judge bench of Justices Khanna and Bhatti.

In the morning, Chander Uday Singh mentioned the application before Justice Aniruddha Bose since the CJI was busy presiding over the Constitution Bench,

As Singh pleaded for an immediate hearing and a direction to stop the rallies. Justice Bose agreed to pass immediate orders but did not give any date for hearing the matter. But he assured the petitioner that the matter would be listed for urgent hearing.

Justice Bose also wanted to ascertain if he has been allowed by the CJI to accept mentions or not. He, however, told Singh that he will accommodate him, after getting confirmation regarding his authority to accept mentions. (UNI)