CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Sunday dismissed public interest litigation, which sought to stall the DMK-led agitation to be held on Monday against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
At a special sitting at 9.20 pm, Sunday, a bench comprising justices S Vaidyanathan and PT Asha heard the urgent petition, moved with permission from Chief Justice AP Sahi.
Agitations and demonstrations cannot be totally curbed in a democratic country, the court held, while directing the cops to monitor the rally using drones.
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While holding that there must be no hardship caused to the general public, the court said political parties would have to bear ‘double the cost’ if any public property are damaged.
The PIL was filed by R Varaaki of East Tambaram, who claimed himself as an editor of a magazine called ‘Indian Reporter’ and A Ezhilarasan of Avadi, who is the founder-president of Indian Makkal Mandram.
A senior police officer told Express that the DMK had not been given permission to protest. “We will allow them to protest and briefly detain them before releasing,” the officer said.DMK chief Stalin has welcomed the decision, saying the protest would be held as planned.