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The Division Bench led by Chief Justice DN Patel of Delhi High Court today disposed of, for default, a plea which had sought the removal of squatters from across parts of Delhi in the "garb of Kisaan Agitation/Farmers' Protests". 

After the matter was called out and nobody appeared on behalf of either of the parties, the court noted that nobody had appeared on the previous hearing also, and therefore proceeded to dispose of the plea for default.

The petitioner, Dhananjai Jain, had claimed that he was left "aghast" by the unprecedented developments in various parts of Delhi, including Red Fort, on Republic Day, and complained against the "agitations on the border of Delhi" which went on for "almost two months beginning on or about November 26, 2020."

The petitioner had stated that the farmer agitation had taken a very aggravated and violent turn with farmers reaching interiors of Delhi armed with weapons, hockey sticks, swords and other assault weapons disturbing the peace and law and order and tranquility in the capital of Delhi city, apart from demeaning the Republic Day festivity.

"Protesters and farmers put the entire capital to ransom and the whole life of capital was brought to a stand still," the petition stated.

The petition had gone to to state that it was a "matter of absolute shame" that Delhi Police was "seen in a state of utter helplessness" as it was being "chased, threatened and beaten up by the protesters".

Inter alia the petitioner had alleged that the Commissioner of Police, Delhi had shown himself to be "thoroughly incompetent", and had prayed for the then Commissioner of Police, Delhi to be removed from his post, and for all the police officers who "failed in discharging their duty to be punished."

The petition was filed through Advocate Bhoop Singh.

Cause Title: Dhananjai Jain vs Union of India