The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and the Election Commission of India on petitions alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision process, known as SIR. The proceedings came amid continuing legal and political dispute over demonstrations linked to the issue in Delhi.

The court also ordered police officials to preserve all CCTV footage connected with the protests. Private parties may retain additional videos for possible submission as evidence, according to the proceedings described in the report.

Court examines protest-related disputes

The Supreme Court questioned the circumstances surrounding a march held on 12 October. It expressed displeasure over the conduct associated with the march and said Rahul Gandhi would need to explain his position. The court also issued notices to Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and others in a petition concerning the march to the court over alleged SIR irregularities.

The court said no one could put pressure on the judiciary. The proceedings also included arguments about the detention of CPI(M) parliamentarian John Brittas. Brittas said police had detained him unlawfully, while the Delhi Police told the court that taking people into custody had been necessary for maintaining law and order.

Brittas said he was satisfied with the court's approach to the INDIA bloc petition against SIR. He said the Chief Justice of India had converted his letter into an interim petition and allowed him to present his case without a lawyer. According to Brittas, the court indicated that the matter required a full hearing and that the facts would be examined later.

The court also asked the government to clarify why Jantar Mantar had been de-notified. It wanted to know whether the decision followed oral observations by the court or resulted from an assessment of the site's usefulness as a general protest venue. Solicitor General Mehta told the court that the decision was not based on the Supreme Court's judgment.

Allegations involving women journalists

Allegations of police mistreatment and assault involving women journalists during the demonstrations were also raised. The court indicated that a committee could be formed to examine and investigate those allegations.

The Chief Justice asked senior advocate Indira Jaising to submit relevant documents in two sealed envelopes. The court separately directed that protest-related CCTV material be protected, creating a potential evidentiary record for the proceedings.

The Solicitor General argued that identifying journalists during demonstrations had become difficult because people carrying mobile phones may record events and upload reels. The court's discussion distinguished that concern from the allegations involving women journalists, which remain subject to examination.

The proceedings also included a warning against intimidation of lawyers. The Supreme Court said that lawyers could not be threatened or frightened in connection with the matter.

Disruption at joint briefing

A joint press conference involving Abhijeet Dipke, Kapil Sibal, Prakash Raj, Prashant Bhushan and Neha Bora was disrupted on Thursday. Dipke, identified in the report as the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the SIR controversy involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Dipke claimed that the Election Commission had removed 13 crore voter names in India under SIR. He also said he had met people whom the SIR process had declared dead. These statements were presented as claims at the briefing, while the Supreme Court proceedings concern alleged irregularities in the process.

The briefing was also described as an AISA-CJP joint event. The disruption occurred as the wider dispute moved across public demonstrations, political statements and court proceedings.

Conclusion

The verified development is that the Supreme Court is examining petitions and protest-related allegations while ordering preservation of CCTV footage. The court has also sought responses on SIR claims and indicated further scrutiny of allegations involving women journalists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the Supreme Court examining?

The court is examining petitions alleging irregularities in the SIR process and disputes connected with demonstrations over the issue.

Q. What did the court order regarding CCTV footage?

It directed police officials to preserve all CCTV footage connected with the demonstrations. Private parties may also retain videos for possible use as evidence.

Q. What happened at the joint press conference?

A joint briefing involving Abhijeet Dipke, Kapil Sibal, Prakash Raj, Prashant Bhushan and Neha Bora was disrupted on Thursday.

Q. What claim did Abhijeet Dipke make about voter names?

Dipke claimed that the Election Commission had removed 13 crore voter names under SIR. He also said he had met people whom the process had declared dead.

Q. What did the court say about the 12 October march?

The court expressed displeasure over the march and said Rahul Gandhi would need to explain his position.

Q. What action may follow allegations involving women journalists?

The court indicated that a committee could be formed to examine and investigate the allegations. It also asked Indira Jaising to submit documents in two sealed envelopes.