1 hr ago
Supreme Court Seeks Protection for Minor Jantar Mantar Protester
The Supreme Court heard about a young girl who attended a protest at Jantar Mantar.
Police had registered a case against the girl in Uttar Pradesh.
Her family also said that people connected to a man she accused of assault had thrown stones at their home.
The court was worried that the girl and her family might be threatened.
It asked police in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh to investigate and provide protection.
A lawyer said the police had not acted quickly enough against the people allegedly troubling the family.
The government lawyer said the police would take necessary action but questioned whether the girl should be called vulnerable.
The court said people accused of hurting or threatening a child should not be protected and ordered status reports.
The Supreme Court sought police reports after learning that an FIR was registered against a minor protester.
The girl’s family allegedly faced stone-pelting and intimidation by supporters of a man she accused of assault.
The court directed Delhi and Uttar Pradesh police to report on the cases and the family’s security.
Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta assured the bench that necessary action and protection would be provided.
Swatantra Bhardwaj remains in judicial custody on assault, intimidation and SC-ST Act charges.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, a minor girl who attended the protest, her family, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh police, and people connected to Swatantra Bhardwaj.
- What
- The court sought reports and protection for the girl and her family after an FIR was registered against her and alleged intimidation was reported.
- Where
- The protest took place at Jantar Mantar; the girl’s home is in Uttar Pradesh, and the case involved Delhi and Uttar Pradesh police.
- When
- The Supreme Court took up the matter on Thursday; related court orders were issued on September 1 and Wednesday.
- Why
- The court was concerned about alleged threats, stone-pelting and the registration of an FIR against a minor protester.
Court and child’s counsel
Police representation
Whether the girl needed protection
Court and child’s counsel
The Supreme Court and the girl’s counsel treated her as a child facing possible intimidation and called for protection for her and her family.
Police representation
Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta said necessary action would be taken but disagreed with describing the girl as a vulnerable victim, citing her social-media activity.
Police response to alleged threats
Court and child’s counsel
Counsel alleged that police had not acted against the person accused of tormenting the family and had instead registered an FIR against the child.
Police representation
Mehta represented Delhi and Uttar Pradesh police and assured the court that appropriate action would be taken, while the police were directed to submit status reports.
Key facts
- Court action
- The Supreme Court directed Delhi and Uttar Pradesh police to file status reports.
- Protection ordered
- The court asked authorities to ensure adequate security for the girl and her family.
- FIR issue
- An FIR was registered against the minor girl in Uttar Pradesh, though the article does not specify the sections.
- Alleged intimidation
- The family reportedly faced stone-pelting, while counsel alleged that the girl’s tormentor moved with police escorts.
- Related court order
- On September 1, the Supreme Court quashed FIRs against paper-leak protesters and barred coercive action against them, except those with criminal histories.
- Swatantra Bhardwaj
- He was arrested on September 4 and remains in judicial custody on assault, intimidation and SC-ST Act charges.
Quotes
Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant
The Supreme Court bench hearing the matter
“If persons accused of such acts were roaming freely and attempting to browbeat the child or her family... it would be a serious matter”
telegraphindia.com
“An FIR has been filed against the child. This is against this court’s order that no FIR should be lodged against the students”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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