The Punjab and Haryana high court on Wednesday pulled up the Haryana government for "pretending to be helpless" in taking action against those involved in destruction of public and private property during the agitations held, seeking reservation for Jats in government jobs.
A bunch of petitions filed by a non-governmental organization, Anti Corruption Federation of India, and Hisar resident Ashwani Bhardwaj came up for hearing before the division bench comprising acting chief justice Jasbir Singh and justice Rakesh Kumar Jain.
The judges said nobody had the right to destroy public or private property and they had personally witnessed police standing as spectators while agitators were on a destruction spree.
Appearing for the petitioners, their counsels asserted that even after recognising leaders of Jat agitators, no one had been arrested so far which showed the state government agencies' apathy.
It was submitted that the Jat leaders had a major hand in instigating agitators that resulted in destruction of public and private properties, causing loss to people as well as the state authorities.
However, during the arguments, the state government's counsel informed the bench that till date, 39 FIRs had been filed in the case, 15 persons had been arrested and two miscreants were in judicial custody. He further submitted that the police had also issued 94 warrants against the accused.
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The bench adjourned the case for arguments until October 9 and directed the state authorities to update the court with the latest developments on the directions issued by the court earlier.
However, during the arguments, the state government's counsel informed the bench that till date, 39 FIRs had been filed in the case, 15 persons had been arrested and two miscreants were in judicial custody. He further submitted that the police had also issued 94 warrants against the accused.
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The bench adjourned the case for arguments until October 9 and directed the state authorities to update the court with the latest developments on the directions issued by the court earlier.
The petitioners had sought directions to authorities concerned to ensure safety of life and property of citizens during such agitations and to take coercive steps for restraining the agitators representing the interests of Jat community from indulging in destruction of public property and stopping railway and road routes in Hisar and other districts of Haryana.