Court Rejects Ratna Singh's Plea for FIR Over Alleged Police Restraint
Saket Court dismissed Ratna Singh's plea seeking an FIR against police for allegedly restraining her during a protest against the CEC.
A Saket Court has dismissed an application filed by Ratna Singh, a legal affairs head for the Campaign for Judicial Parity (CJP), which sought the registration of an FIR against police personnel. Singh had alleged that she was wrongfully confined and prevented from participating in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The Allegations of Wrongful Confinement
The application, moved on behalf of Singh, a practicing advocate, detailed an incident that occurred as she was preparing to join a demonstration by the legal fraternity. According to the plea, Singh was accompanied by two fellow advocates and was heading toward the Supreme Court to participate in the protest against the CEC.
The grievance centered on an incident near her residence. Singh alleged that while she was sitting in a car with advocate Tara Narula, she was suddenly prevented from moving. The application claims that:
- Two cars were used to block her vehicle from both the front and the rear.
- Police personnel remained outside the vehicle during the encounter.
- Despite her requests, the officers failed to provide any legal basis for the restriction of her movement.
Concerns Over Liberty and Safety
In her plea, Singh raised serious concerns regarding her personal liberty and safety, suggesting that the circumstances of the encounter were severe enough to warrant urgent judicial intervention. She had requested the court to direct the police to register an FIR against the involved personnel and to submit a status report regarding the incident.
The incident occurred amidst a wave of protests by members of the legal community directed at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The situation has sparked broader discussions regarding the right of lawyers to assemble and express their views, as well as the boundaries of police authority in regulating public demonstrations and maintaining law and order.
Court's Decision
Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Abhinav Pandey reviewed the application but ultimately dismissed the plea. The dismissal brings a temporary halt to the judicial attempt to compel the police to register a formal criminal case regarding the alleged restraint of the advocate.