The Delhi Police on Thursday told the Delhi High Court that climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, held at the Singhu border on the night of September 30 for violating prohibitory orders, has been released.
Noting the immediate next order by the Delhi Police rescinding the prohibitory orders which had been enacted on September 30, a bench headed by Chief Justice Manmohan said these orders that prohibited gathering of five or more people to the discredit of themselves, had banned weapons, banners, placards, and picketing or protests in public places of New Delhi, North, and Central districts as well as on all state borders of Delhi, till October 5.
The judicial order of the court, also with Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, stated, "Learned Solicitor General, who appears on advance notice, states that the impugned order dated September 30 passed by the Commissioner of Police has been withdrawn vide order dated October 2, a photocopy of which has also been placed on the record.".
In view of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta's submission, the Delhi HC disposed of the pleas for Wangchuk's release and that of his supporters.
Wangchuk and more than 100 people from Ladakh were on their way to the national capital demanding that the Union Territory be given Sixth Schedule Status so as to grant law-making powers to the local population. The Indian Constitution has its Sixth Schedule, whereby special protections and autonomy are given to certain tribal areas for preserving culture and managing resources.
In the previous occasion, SG Mehta had presented a similar contention before a bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud after senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy mentioned a plea challenging the prohibitory orders for urgent listing. The Solicitor General confirmed that the Commissioner of Police's order stands withdrawn.
A plea was also moved by the priest of the Kalkaji temple before the Supreme Court. He has argued that the prohibitory order issued by the Delhi Police would have a chilling effect on the petitioner's rights and those of citizens rejoicing in Navratri.
Read also| India Rises to 39th Place in the Global Innovation Index 2024
