300+ Detained? Lawyers Question Mumbai Police Action
- pradeep
- 5 days ago
- 1 min read
A group of lawyers practising before the Bombay High Court has criticised the Mumbai Police action against protesters and demanded the withdrawal of prohibitory orders restricting public gatherings in the city.
The lawyers alleged that preventive detentions and restrictions imposed during student protests affected citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly. Their statement was supported by 141 advocates, including several senior lawyers.
Lawyers Raise Concerns Over Detentions
The advocates referred to reports that more than 300 people, including minors, were detained on July 20 after gathering around Shivaji Park for protests. They questioned whether such restrictions were legally justified when citizens were exercising their right to peaceful protest.
The lawyers highlighted that the right to assemble peacefully is protected under Article 19(1)(b) of the Constitution and argued that restrictions should be based on specific reasons and not blanket prohibitions.
Challenge to Prohibitory Orders
The statement also raised questions over orders issued under the Maharashtra Police Act that restricted assemblies across Mumbai.
The advocates claimed that repeated prohibitory orders covering consecutive periods could limit citizens’ access to peaceful demonstrations and urged authorities to review the restrictions.
Student Protests Continue
The controversy comes amid ongoing protests connected to examination-related concerns, with student groups and citizens gathering at locations including Shivaji Park despite police restrictions.
Mumbai Police had imposed restrictions on gatherings of five or more people amid the protests, citing law-and-order concerns.
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