Saurabh Malik
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 16

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday issued notice of motion to the Union of India and other respondents on a petition seeking action against persons who had dug the national highways and other roads following farmers’ agitation against the farm bills.

The petitioner submitted that the persons had intentionally blocked the highways and the roads by putting nails, barricades and other “iron and allied items”. Directions were also sought Delhi Director-General of Police to remove the obstacle created by its force. A judicial inquiry in the matter was also prayed for.

The matter was brought to the high court’s notice by Ravinder Singh Bassi for issuance of directions for “opening” the national highways blocked/obstructed by the Delhi police. Among other things, the petitioner contended that the national highways could not be blocked. Appearing before the Bench in person, the petitioner—ex-president of the UT district Bar Association—referred to the provisions of the National Highways Act, 1956, in support of his contentions. He added that the blocking of the highways had caused “a lot of inconvenience to the general public”. Taking up the matter, Justice GS Sandhawalia fixed March 15 as the next date of hearing.