HC notice on plea to regulate political rallies

Chandigarh, Oct 23 (UNI) A public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking directions to regulate political and other rallies and demonstrations in the country that disrupt normal life and smooth blow of traffic today figured in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

After a preliminary hearing, a division bench comprising the acting Chief Justice Surinder Singh Nijjar and Justice Surinder Singh Saron issued notices for November 14 to the Union Home Secretary, chief secretaries of Punjab and Haryana, Advisor to the Administrator of Chandigarh Union Territory and the Chief Election Commissioner, New Delhi .

The court's directions have also been sought for the Election Commission to issue such guidelines to political parties to ensure against disruption of freedom of movement of the people.

The petitioner has also prayed to direct the Union Government to frame a national policy governing such rallies and protest such demonstrations.

The petitioner, Jagmohan Singh Bhatti briefly argued about the need to regulate such activity that affects large sections of society. He has annexed clippings from news reports about the rally published by the Chandigarh edition of the Times of India and other newspapers to prove his.

The massive rally held here by Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) on October 16 has been cited as the prompting factor for the PIL, though he also mentioned a similar rally organised in Chandigarh some months back by the followers of Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda.

The petitioner has also suggested that organisers of such rallies and the authorities should sit together to work out steps so that the public at large do not suffer from such events.

UNI XC PS PB HT2002