The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will not pass orders on the proposed tractor rally by protesting farmers on Republic Day in the national capital since it is the police that must decide on these matters.
“We’ve said that it is for the Police to decide. We are not going to pass the orders. You are the authority to take action,” a bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde said.
The Court said that it will not pass any order on the Centre’s plea against the proposed tractor rally by farmers on Republic Day and also asked the Centre to withdraw its plea.
During the hearing, an advocate appearing for the Kisan Mahapanchayat told the Top Court that an application has been filed on their behalf to reconstitute the apex court-appointed committee after one member had recused from it.
The Court asked whether it is the same organisation which had rejected the constitution of the committee.
The Court said the purpose of a panel set up is to resolve an impasse between protesters and the government on farm laws. “No power has been given to committee members to adjudicate things, they have to report to us. Where is the question of bias? If you don’t want to appear before committee, don’t appear but don’t malign or brand anyone like this, don’t cast aspersion on the court,” CJI said.
“We gave power to the committee to listen (to farmers) and come to us and file their reports,” the CJI said.
“What is the point of bias in it?,” the CJI said and added that don’t cast aspersion on the Court.
The Top court then issued a notice on the plea.
Meanwhile, the farmers who have been protesting against the farm laws since November 26, are firm on holding the proposed tractor rally on Republic Day.
The ninth round of talks between the Central government and the agitating farmers ended inconclusively.
During the meeting, protesting farmer unions stuck to their demand for the repeal of three contentious farm laws.
