Can’t use tractor-trolleys to go to Delhi, HC tells protesting farmers

Swaich submitted that the State can’t use lethal weapons. Referring to newspaper reports, Swaich told the HC that many have lost vision. However, the Bench dismissed Swaich’s application.

The division Bench of Acting Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji is hearing two PILs.

In one PIL, Uday Pratap Singh has sought directions to stay all obstructive actions by the governments of Haryana, Punjab, and the Union government against the farmers’ ‘Dilli Chalo’ protest. Another PIL has been filed by
Arvind Seth, seeking action against the agitating farmers.

During the resumed hearing of the case, the Additional Solicitor General appearing for the Union of India, Satya Pal Jain, submitted a status report on the latest developments and what transpired during meetings with
farmers. Jain was, however, asked by the HC to file a fresh affidavit with the latest development.

The State of Haryana, through Additional Advocate General Deepak Sabharwal, told the Bench that protest sites have been identified in the State.

The Bench, however, orally asked the Haryana counsel what the State Government is doing. The Haryana and Punjab counsels also filed their affidavits before the HC, which were taken on record.

Meanwhile, the Bench asked the State of Punjab to ensure that people do not collect in large numbers and are scattered.

They have the right to protest, but it is subject to reasonable restrictions, the Bench orally observed. The Bench further noted that it is only in this country that tractor trolleys are plying on highways.

The bench observed that under the Motor Vehicle Act, tractor trolleys cannot ply on highways.

“How can you go from Amritsar to Delhi in a Tractor trolley?” Acting Chief Justice Sandhawalia pointed out.

“If you want to go to Delhi, you may go by bus,”observed ACJ Sandhawalia. The matter was further adjourned for the next week. A detailed order was yet to be released on the HC website.