Shimla, June 2s
Himachal Pradesh Police on Tuesday registered a criminal case against a group of advocates for allegedly staging a protest without prior permission in the restricted Secretariat area and obstructing traffic in the state capital, causing inconvenience to commuters and the general public.
According to police, information was received at around 11:10 am that a group of advocates from the Himachal Pradesh High Court was marching towards the Chief Minister’s official residence, Oak Over, while raising slogans. Following the alert, police personnel were deployed at the site and additional forces, including a Quick Response Team (QRT), were rushed to maintain law and order.
The protesters reportedly reached the main gate of Oak Over at around 11:20 am and raised slogans for nearly 20 minutes before proceeding towards the State Secretariat. Near Samvad Bhawan, police officers requested the demonstrators to enter the designated premises and present their grievances, but they allegedly declined and moved towards the Secretariat gate.
Also Read
Three CITU leaders arrested over disruption of Shimla Municipal Corporation meeting
Police said the protesters then staged a sit-in outside the Secretariat and continued sloganeering in support of their demands. The demonstration allegedly blocked the road from around noon until 2:30 pm, disrupting traffic movement and causing inconvenience to residents, government employees and motorists.
Based on the findings at the spot, a case has been registered at East Shimla Police Station under Sections 126(2), 189(2) and 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for obstructing a public way, holding a demonstration in a restricted area without permission and disobeying lawful directions.
Police stated that while peaceful democratic protests are respected, public demonstrations must be conducted within the framework of law. Further investigation is underway.
About the Author
