The Bombay High Court is hearing petitions alleging illegal detention and police brutality against people participating in anti–Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) demonstrations in Mumbai. Multiple outlets report that the court directs the Maharashtra government to file responses to the claims and sets a further hearing date, while cautioning against blanket assumptions about police action.
Across the reports, the court affirms that peaceful protest is a fundamental right, but it emphasizes that the court must consider the “antecedents” and credentials of those involved. It also notes that protests should not be used to create a law-and-order situation and that public inconvenience cannot be ignored. The court seeks to balance the right to agitate with the need to ensure demonstrators remain peaceful.
The petitions, as described by outlets, allege that police detained large numbers of people, including individuals not directly participating, such as students, women with children, senior citizens, and passers-by, during demonstrations at locations including Hutatma Chowk and Shivaji Park. The state, through counsel, disputes the allegations and says police intervened only after protesters blocked roads. The matter will be heard again later.
