The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concern over large gatherings of farmers protesting against the new farm laws at Delhi borders and drew a parallel with Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz.
The top court was hearing a plea seeking various reliefs including CBI probe into the matter related to assembly of people at Anand Vihar Bus Terminal and the Tablighi Jamaat congregation at Nizamuddin Markaz in the national Capital after the nationwide lockdown was announced last year to contain the pandemic.
“The same problem is going to arise in farmers’ agitation. I do not know if farmers are protected from Covid. So, the same problem is going to arise. It is not that everything is over,” said Chief Justice SA Bobde, heading a Bench, also comprising Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian.
The court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, whether protesting farmers are protected from Covid-19. Mehta replied, “certainly not”.
Mehta said he will file a report within two weeks on what has been done and what needs to be done.
The plea, filed by lawyer Supriya Pandita, alleged that the Delhi Police had failed to control the congregation of people and the Nizamuddin Markaz chief Maulana Saad was still evading arrest.
Advocate Om Prakash Parihar, appearing for the petitioner, said no statement has been made by the Centre about the whereabouts of Saad.
The SC told Parihar, “Why are you interested in one person? We are on the issue of Covid. Why do you want controversy? We are interested that Covid guidelines should be there”.
The SC issued notice in the matter after which Mehta said he will file a report.
The Centre had on June 5 last year told the top court that probe into the assembly of people at Anand Vihar Bus Terminal in east Delhi during the nationwide lockdown and the Tablighi Jamaat event is being conducted on a day-to-day basis by the Delhi Police and there was no need for CBI investigation.
Ahead of the Centre-farmer talks on January 8, the farmers on Thursday held a “tractor march” along the borders of the national Capital amid tight security. The farmers called it a “rehearsal” for January 26 and warned the Central Government that they will further intensify their stir if the farm laws are not revoked and assurance on minimum support price (MSP) is given.