The Supreme Court on Wednesday, 3 February refused to entertain a PIL seeking a retired SC judge-headed commission to inquire into the violence on Republic Day, 26 January, during the farmers’ tractor rally.
While dismissing the PIL filed by Vishal Tiwari, the Supreme Court bench, headed by CJI SA Bobde said that it is sure that the government is inquiring into the violence, and taking appropriate action.
“We read PM’s statement in the press that law will take its own course,” the bench said, adding that, “We are not condoning the violence,” according to Live Law.
While arguing for Tiwari, advocate ML Sharma said that the farm bills were not voted properly in the Rajya Sabha and that statements of both sides must be recorded, but the bench dismissed the PIL saying that both sides will definitely be heard.
The order of the Supreme Court comes even as the Centre and the Delhi Police have intensified crackdown on the protesters, following the 26 January violence.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police on Wednesday announced cash rewards for any information with regard to those accused in the 26 January violence, including Punjabi celebrity Deep Sidhu.
So far, at least 115 people have been arrested and jailed, for the violence that led to several protesters and cops being injured, and the Red Fort being vandalised.
(With inputs from Live Law.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)