Eid namaz on road: Meerut Police warns of strict action that may lead to passport cancellation
Meerut, Mar 28 (PTI): Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr and last Friday prayers of Ramzan, Meerut Police has issued strict warnings against unauthorised roadside prayers, saying violators will face strict legal action that may lead to their passports getting cancelled and driving licences revoked.
Union minister and RLD chief Jayant Singh was among the first to react to this decision, when he posted on X: " Policing towards Orwellian 1984!"
In his iconic novel "Nineteen Eighty-Four", George Orwell talks about law enforcers or Thought Police who have immense powers.
SP City Ayush Vikram Singh reiterated that Eid prayers should be offered at local mosques or designated Eidgahs and that no one should perform Namaz on the roads.
"Last year, some individuals defied the directives and prayed on the roads, leading to action against more than 80 people. This time, anyone violating the rule will face strict legal action," Singh told PTI Videos, adding that notices have already been issued regarding this.
He also warned that those involved in such cases may have their passports and licences revoked.
"If criminal cases are registered against individuals, their passports and licenses can be cancelled, and obtaining a new passport would become difficult without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the court. Such documents remain confiscated until the individuals are cleared by the court," Singh explained.
Meerut SSP Vipin Tada told PTI Videos that security agencies are coordinating closely with district administration, religious leaders, and local stakeholders to ensure a peaceful celebration.
Meetings have been conducted at both the district and police station levels, and necessary directives have been issued based on discussions with all parties.
"Strict action will be taken against those trying to spread rumours or incite unrest through social media. We are keeping a close watch on social media platforms, and any attempt to disrupt communal harmony will be dealt with firmly," the SSP said.
To bolster security, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel have been deployed, and flag marches are being conducted in the district, Tada said. Sensitive areas have been identified based on past experiences, and special arrangements have been made there.
Tada further emphasized that the administration is working in coordination with prominent citizens and religious leaders to maintain peace and ensure smooth observance of the upcoming festivals.
To ensure law and order, Singh said that drones will be deployed for aerial surveillance, while local intelligence teams are actively monitoring the situation. Uniformed and plainclothes officers will also be stationed at all sensitive locations, he added.
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SC refuses to adjourn hearing on pleas against EC law, says this matter is more important
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to accede to the Centre's request to adjourn the hearing on pleas challenging the constitutional validity of a 2023 law that removed the CJI from a committee responsible for appointing the chief election commissioner and the deputies, saying the matter is "more important" than the Sabarimala case.
A nine-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant is currently hearing petitions regarding discrimination against women at religious sites, including the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, as well as the scope of religious freedom across various faiths.
A bench comprising justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma turned down the request by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, to adjourn the hearing on the ground that he was currently occupied before a nine-judge bench in the Sabarimala reference case.
Referring to the gravity of the current challenge to the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, Justice Datta said, "This matter is more important than any other matter."
"Let your (solicitor general's) associates take notes today. Let the petitioners start. All matters are important. We read in the newspapers that there is an observation that the PIL in Sabarimala should not have been entertained by the court. So, with due respect to the judges, nine judges are occupied in a matter where there is an observation that it should not have been entertained in the first place," Justice Datta said.
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The bench then directed the petitioners to conclude their arguments by Thursday, allowing the Centre to present its submissions on a subsequent date. The bench then proceeded with the hearing which is underway.
Earlier on March 20, CJI Surya Kant recused himself from hearing the petitions. "I will be accused of conflict of interest. There is a conflict of interest," the CJI had said. The law, enacted by Parliament in December 2023, came months after a landmark verdict by which the apex court directed that election commissioners be appointed by a committee comprising the prime minister, the leader of the Opposition, and the chief justice of India.
The bench had said that the system will remain in force till a law is enacted.
Under the 2023 Act, the selection committee consists of the prime minister, a Union minister nominated by the prime minister and the leader of Opposition (or leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha).
The PILs said the exclusion of the CJI from the panel undermines the independence of the appointment process.
The law has been challenged by multiple petitioners, including Congress leader Jaya Thakur and the Association for Democratic Reforms.
Earlier, the Centre defended in the Supreme Court the appointment of two new election commissioners under the 2023 law that excludes the chief justice of India from the selection committee, saying the independence of the Election Commission does not arise from the presence of a judicial member on the committee.
In an affidavit filed in the apex court, the Union law ministry rejected the petitioner's claim that the two election commissioners were hastily appointed on March 14, 2024, to "pre-empt" the orders of the top court the next day, when the matters challenging the 2023 law were listed for hearing on interim relief.
The apex court also refused to stay the appointment of new election commissioners under the 2023 law.
A five-judge constitution bench had in March 2023 ruled that the chief election commissioner and election commissioners shall be appointed on the advice of a committee comprising the prime minister, the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the chief justice of India.
