Home Ministry Clarifies Supreme Courts Contempt Notice Response
The Home Ministry responds to a Supreme Court contempt notice regarding protest restrictions, emphasizing compliance with legal protocols.
New Delhi, October 15 (Daily Kiran) : The Supreme Court recently issued a contempt notice to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Delhi Police Commissioner, and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation concerning protests in Delhi. In response to this notice, the Home Secretary submitted an affidavit, offering an unconditional apology to the court.
Following this development, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) of the Home Ministry posted a clarification on its X account, refuting claims that the unconditional apology was a procedural requirement. The Ministry stated that when a contempt notice is issued by the Supreme Court, the responding party must begin their affidavit with an unconditional apology before presenting any further facts or arguments.
The Ministry emphasized that this protocol is consistently followed in every contempt petition. The affidavits submitted by the Home Secretary, the Police Commissioner, and other relevant officials began with this required compliance, followed by detailed information.
In its response to the Supreme Court, the central government defended its decision to suspend mobile internet services in parts of central Delhi during the October 10 protest organized by the Cockroach Public Party (CJP) against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The government denied any intention to violate court directives.
The Ministry asserted that the affidavit clearly demonstrated that all actions taken by the government and police were in full compliance with the law, indicating that no contempt case exists against them.
In the affidavit filed on Wednesday, the central government stated that the temporary suspension of internet services was essential to prevent public disorder and was a reasonable response to the prevailing circumstances.
The government also requested the Supreme Court to revoke the contempt notice issued to Home Secretary Govind Mohan concerning the restrictions imposed during the protests. Additionally, it sought a modification of the Supreme Court’s order to allow for the suspension of internet services in situations where such measures are deemed necessary, provided they comply fully with legal and statutory safeguards.
