Anushka Mansharamani
On 17th December, the Delhi High Court declined to examine the Public Interest Litigation filed regarding the ongoing protests of the farmers at the borders of New Delhi.
A division bench consisting of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan declined the PIL on the basis that the Delhi High Court does not have the inherent jurisdiction to the extended areas outside the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The court reckoned the haste drafting of the PIL and questioned whether it is a “publicity interest litigation or a public interest litigation.”
Advocate Rohit Jha, representing the petitioners, contended that the protests have had an impact on the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The Delhi High Court replied it is was not the Central government and further added, “You can file it in Punjab, Haryana, Allahabad…. the same petition will work.”
The court also noted that the larger issue regarding the farmers’ protests was still pending before the Apex Court.
The petitioners prayed for medical and health facilities at the site of the protests.
The petition was lastly dismissed; however, the petitioner was given the liberty to file another plea with suitable averments.
