New Delhi: In the wake of the brutal murder of a Dalit man on Dussera near farmers' protest site in Singhu Border, an application has been moved in the Supreme Court, seeking urgent hearing of the plea that sought removal of the farmers from the venue of the protests.
The plea has contended that protests have caused law and order problems and the farmers are also openly flouting the Covid 19 norms.
The application filed by Swati Goel and Sanjeev Newar contended that the protestors have been sitting at the site for over 10 months without following any Covid 19 protocols.
The pleas said the protests have seen many "unforeseen and unacceptable" events like the tractor rally, rape of a woman and murder of Lakhbir Singh, whose body was found mutilated on a police barricade.
"That the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression cannot supersede Right to Life and if this protest is allowed to go on like this, the nation at large will be at loss," read the application.
Applicants said that a "protest which in itself is illegal cannot be continued when it is witnessing anti-humanitarian acts."
READ: Man found dead near farmers' protest venue in Delhi
"When people are dying due to covid and there is a scarcity of medical equipment including oxygen, medicines, beds and injections. That at a time when Union of India state governments, High courts and this Hon'ble court is doing everything possible to tackle the situation. That at a time when there is a ban on celebrating festivals, visiting temples and going to schools and colleges, it will serve no good if such a protest will be allowed," read the application.
The plea seeking removal of farmers was first listed for hearing on 10 May 2021, however, it was postponed to 13 May due to a server failure in the court. The hearing was again adjourned to a later date since the court could not assemble on this date.
Although the petition was listed on 31 May, the court adjourned the hearing to 12 July. But the plea remained unheard as it was not listed on that date.
The petitioners said anymore delay will result in gross "injustice and the purpose of this application will become infructuous".
In the past, the apex court had expressed displeasure over the blockade of roads by the farmers, observing the state will have to find a solution and remarked: "protests can not go on indefinitely".
The court has also decided to take up the matter pertaining to the right to protest as well in wake of the farmers' protests.
The pleas which were filed challenging the Farm laws have been pending in court for a year and are yet to be decided.
READ: Haryana CM Khattar meets Amit Shah over reopening Singhu border
