Irked by the presence of a large crowd in the court room, the Delhi High Court today directed that only a restricted number of people may be present during hearing on alleged illegal construction by a local MLA and his supporters near Red Fort where purported ruins of a Mughal-era mosque were found.
We have to abruptly adjourn the matter because of presence of large number of people in the Court which is creating disturbance… We feel that hearing cannot take place in such an atmosphere in a matter like this, there is no need of such large gathering,” a full bench headed by Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri said while deferring the matter till September 7.
The court directed that only the counsel appearing for parties or the petitioners appearing in person, apart from accredited media persons would be allowed to hear the court proceedings on the next date of hearing.
Directing the Registrar General of the High Court, the bench said “We have to abruptly adjourn the matter because of presence of large number of people in the Court which is creating disturbance in the smooth functioning of the
proceedings.
“It has created atmosphere of indiscipline and is affecting Court decorum. Influenced by their presence, even at times there is an attempt to play to the gallery.
We feel that hearing cannot take place in such an atmosphere in a matter like this, there is no need of such large gathering,” the bench said in an order.
The court was hearing a plea seeking initiation of contempt of court proceedings against the officials of MCD,ASI and Police for non compliance of court’s July 30 order to demolish the structure “illegally” erected on the public land in Subhash Park near Red Fort Metro Station.
The court passed the order after some of the lawyers, who were not representing any of the parties in the case, started making their submissions despite the court’s request to them not to interrupt as the bench was hearing the arguments of the counsel for parties.
The court room no-1 was packed with the large number of lawyers and also visitors to watch the proceedings in the case.
————-PTI