Preventing instigation important: CJI in 1st observation on farmers' tractor riot in Delhi

In its first response on violence that happened during tractor march of farmers on January 26, Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, on Thursday, said that preventing instigation is an important part of maintaining law and order. As he began Court's proceedings, he referred to January 26 violence while hearing a case related to Markaz incident last year and observed that Government h to shut down Internet in national capital on Republic Day to prevent instigation.

CJI said, " Government shut down Internet network on January 26 due to agitation that happened. Preventing instigation is an important part of maintaining law and order."

Soon after, CJI-led bench heard a writ petition by Congress MP from Kerala, TN Prathapan challenging various provisions of  three farm laws. CJI asked petitioner if he is a farmer to which Prathapan responded by saying that he is an MP and a farmer too. CJI furr asked him if he wants  existing system to continue? To this, Prathapan responded - "We want MSPs to continue." CJI Bobde came down heavily on petitioner and asked, "Show us provision which withdraws MSP." CJI-led bench n issued tice on same and posted matter with or petitions regarding farm laws. 

Prathapan, who represents Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala, h argued in petition that Farmers’ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 violated right to equality (Article 14), prohibition of discrimination (Article 15) and right to life and liberty (Article 21) of Indian Constitution. He ded that laws were “liable to be struck down as unconstitutional, illegal and void”. He also said that Agricultural Produce Market Committee or APMC Model Act was created to protect farmers from exploitation by intermediaries and to build a common market to sell produce and it ensured Minimum Support Price to farmers.

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Farmers breach Red fort after R-day pare

protesting farmers on January 26 entered national capital from three routes emanating from Singhu border, Tikri border and Ghazipur border, as Delhi Police gave ir d for a peaceful protest. However, despite Samyukt Kisan Morcha's assurance and Delhi Police's conditions for tractor march, violence broke out as farmers entered Delhi. protesting farmers with ir tractors broke barrices and cemented barriers at Delhi’s Mukarba Chowk, prompting Delhi Police to use tear gas shells against m.

situation quickly devolved to a point where police were outnumbered, and farmers overran Delhi, with a group of m breaching Red Fort's ramparts and planting ir flag atop its podium. One of protesters breached Red Fort and unfurled a saffron flag and a yellow flag bearing holy Sikh symbol atop dome of Fort. One protestor died, with some groups alleging that he died because of a bullet fired by Police. However, Delhi Police released a CCTV foot later which showed that protester died after a tractor upturned as it ran over barrices. Delhi Police said that over 300 police personnel were injured. 

In a crackdown on violence, Delhi Police has booked prominent farmers' leers and issued tices to at least 20 farmer leers including Yogendra Yav, Baldev Singh Sirsa, Balbir S Rajewal for breaching agreement with police regarding tractor rally. y have been asked to reply within 3 days. Deep Sindhu who allegedly led a group to plant flag atop Red Fort, and gangster-turned activist Lakka Sana have been booked for violence at Red Fort. 

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