AP High Court directs DGP to permit padayatra against three capitals
The DGP's rejection of permission is unsustainable under law, as right to protest is a fundamental right
VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday directed director general of police Goutam Sawang to grant permission by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday to allow farmers under the banner of Amaravathi Parirakshana Samithi to take out a maha padayatra from Thullur in Guntur district to Tirumala in Chittoor district from November 1 to December 17.
This directive of the single judge bench headed by Justice Cheekati Manavendranath Roy came following a petition seeking direction to the DGP permitting the padayatra in protest against AP’s move to set up three capitals. The DGP had earlier refused permission for the yatra stating law and order issues and poll code in force due to conduct of local body polls.
The court observed that the DGP’s rejection of permission is unsustainable under law, as right to protest in a peaceful manner to air a grievance is a fundamental right.
The court said, “It is the duty of police to take necessary precautionary measures during the maha padayatra for maintaining law and order and preventing any untoward incident. As the route map and names of participants in padayatra have been furnished, police can take adequate steps to provide protection to the peaceful procession.”
The court directed participants going in the procession not to use any offensive language against any person and behave decently without resorting to any violence or illegal acts.