"We are tired of going to courts": Kapil Sibal says he has "no hope" of relief amid protest against CEC
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal expresses despair over court relief and questions restrictions imposed ahead of the protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal has expressed a profound sense of disillusionment, stating he has "no hope" of obtaining relief from the judiciary amidst the ongoing controversies surrounding Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
Speaking at a press conference, Sibal voiced deep concerns regarding the direction of the nation and the effectiveness of legal recourse in the face of recent administrative actions. While acknowledging the Supreme Court as the ultimate guardian of the Constitution, he admitted to a growing sense of exhaustion among those seeking justice.
"We are tired of going to courts"
Addressing the media, Sibal did not mince words about his frustration with the current legal landscape. "I don't know which direction this country is heading. I don't know if we will ever get relief from the court," he remarked. "We are tired of going to the courts. I don't see any benefit in going; I have no hope."
Despite his pessimism, he emphasized the critical role of the apex court, noting, "If anyone can save the Constitution, it is the Supreme Court."
Questioning Section 163 and Police Restrictions
A major point of contention for Sibal was the imposition of restrictive orders in Delhi, intended to curb the protest organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar. He questioned the necessity of invoking Section 163, arguing that such measures are typically reserved for preventing imminent violence or threats to human life.
Sibal pointed out that the protest had been announced well in advance, making the sudden imposition of restrictions appear targeted rather than precautionary. "Announcements had been made days in advance that people would reach Jantar Mantar on October 10th to stage a protest. Who exactly was under threat? I do not know," he said.
He further alleged that the restrictions were not aimed at protecting society, but rather at shielding the administration from public scrutiny. "The threat is not to society, but to the administration. Section 163 is not invoked to address threats to them," he added.
Allegations of Arbitrary Detentions
The senior advocate levelled serious allegations against the authorities regarding the handling of protesters. He claimed that individuals are often arrested under unclear sections and taken to undisclosed locations, leaving their families in the dark. He specifically cited the detention of CJP activists Abhijeet Dipke and Ashutosh Ranka from an aircraft as a troubling example of suppressing peaceful dissent.
Sibal suggested that the ruling party perceives a threat not from violence, but from the visibility of public discontent. He argued that the sight of citizens gathering to raise slogans could create a political domino effect. "People would come from all over India and raise slogans... That would increase the threat level; Gyanesh ji would have to resign, and who knows who else might have to step down after that," he suggested.
Extreme Measures in the National Capital
The legal battle reached the Supreme Court on Friday, where Sibal, appearing for CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby, highlighted an alarming list of restrictions implemented in Delhi ahead of the October 10 protest. These included:
- The cancellation of trains heading to Delhi.
- The closure of various metro stations.
- Internet curbs across the region.
- Restrictions on hotel bookings.
In a moment of exasperation before the bench, Sibal asked, “What is happening to my country?”
As the situation unfolds, Delhi Police sources have reported that approximately 1,000 protesters have been detained across the national capital while attempting to march toward Jantar Mantar to demand the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.