CJP protest surveillance PIL infructuous, says Centre; Delhi High Court suggests fresh plea
The Delhi High Court has dismissed a PIL regarding surveillance of protesters at Jantar Mantar as infructuous since the protest has concluded. The court suggested the petitioner file a new, broader plea if they wish to challenge surveillance frameworks in general.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing legal tension between state security surveillance and the right to privacy for citizens participating in public demonstrations.
The Centre on Monday told the Delhi High Court that a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging surveillance of protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party-led agitation at Jantar Mantar had become infructuous after the protest ended. The Bench, however, indicated that the broader issue of surveillance of protesters could be examined in an appropriate case and suggested that the petitioner file a fresh plea raising the issue in a general context rather than one confined to the protest.
A Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia asked the petitioner to allow “things to cool down further” before moving a fresh petition.
The PIL was filed by Aishe Ghosh, former president of Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union.
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