'Sad day for democracy': Bombay HC warns against criminalising constitutional right to protest

Sad day for democracy if prosecution used to stifle protests: HC

Mumbai: Asserting that it would be a “sad day for democracy” if criminal prosecutions are used to stifle peaceful protests, the Bombay High Court has quashed a first information report (FIR) against a man booked for participating in an agitation over poor road conditions. Justice MW Chandwani of the HC’s Nagpur bench, in an order … Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News, Technology, Entertainment, Sports, Politics and Top Stories on Whats…

Bombay High Court quashes FIR against protester, says state cannot criminalise peaceful dissent

The Bombay High Court has underscored the critical distinction between legitimate democratic dissent and criminal activity, ruling that the state cannot use the legal machinery to suppress peaceful agitations. While quashing an FIR and chargesheet against an individual in Maharashtra, the court warned that deploying criminal prosecutions to stifle the constitutional right to protest would represent a "sad day for democracy." The ruling, delivere…

'Sad day for democracy': Bombay HC warns against criminalising constitutional right to protest

The Bombay high court has overturned an FIR against Nishkarsh Nimgade, highlighting the fundamental constitutional right to peaceful assembly during his protest over poor road conditions in Chandrapur district. The court recognised this right as vital to the democratic fabric and stated that criminal charges shouldn't stifle non-violent protests. Sparked by an accident linked to these conditions, the court condemned the prosecution of Nimgade as…

'Sad day for democracy' if prosecution used to stifle peaceful protests: Bombay HC

Prosecutions must not be launched to stifle agitations that are part of the democratic process so long as people do not take the law into their own hands or indulge in violence or damage to public or private property, the HC said.