#HardikPatel: SC to lay down guidelines to deal with agitators who damage public property

The Supreme Court today said that it will lay down guidelines regarding action to be taken against persons damaging public property during protests and agitations..A Bench of Justice JS Khehar and Justice C Nagappan also made some remarkable observations in this regard while hearing the petition filed by Patidar leader Hardik Patel seeking quashing of the sedition charge against him. Patel had led a Patidar agitation in Gujarat which had resulted in widespread destruction of public property..When the matter came up for hearing today, the petitioners sought adjournment since the Senior Advocate appearing for him was on his legs in another court..The Court was initially reluctant but agreed to accommodate the petitioners. It then told Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who was appearing for Gujarat government, that it wants to hear the ancillary issue of destruction to public property by agitators and the possible action that can be taken in that regard..“What is happening? Where is our country [headed]. One cannot burn the country’s property. You can agitate peacefully. But what is this? – burning and ransacking...They must know that there will be consequences for their action.”.The Court said that it will lay down guidelines for the course of action to be followed in cases where agitators damage public property. It will now hear the matter tomorrow..Besides the Patidar protests in Gujarat, the ongoing agitation by Jats in Haryana had recently brought the State to a standstill. The Jats had engaged in widespread destruction of property including public infrastructure like roads and canals, forcing the government to deploy the Army..The incidents in Haryana might have been the immediate cause for the strong reaction from the Supreme Court.