SC notice to Ramdev’s trust

Even as the Delhi Police refuted allegations of high-handedness against Baba Ramdev and his disciples at the Ramlila Maidan, the Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to yoga guru-managed Bharat Swabhiman Trust which had organised the event.

Even as the Delhi Police refuted allegations of high-handedness against Baba Ramdev and his disciples at the Ramlila Maidan, the Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to yoga guru-managed Bharat Swabhiman Trust which had organised the event.

HT Image

A vacation bench comprising justice P Sathasivam and justice AK Patnaik issued a notice to the Trust and asked for its response to the police affidavit claiming teargas shells were used only after the crowd turned violent and started throwing stones.

“You have made several allegations against them. Let them also respond to it,” the bench told the Delhi Police counsel, senior advocate UU Lalit.

It also asked the Centre to file its reply to the police affidavit that also claimed the force had intelligence input regarding threats to Ramdev’s life. The court fixed July 11 for further hearing the matter.

The Delhi Police had filed its affidavit after the SC took suo-motu cognizance of the alleged mid-night crackdown on those camping at the Ramlila Maidan in support of Ramdev.

The bench also declined advocate Ajay Agarwal’s plea to implead him in the case and said: “We would require your assistance, we would hear you. But right now, we are not hearing you.”

In the affidavit, the city police had earlier told the court that no force was used against the protesters but only eight teargas shells had been lobbed to disperse Ramdev’s supporters after they turned violent and started pelting stones.