The Delhi High Court today (December 19, 2019) declined to provide interim protection to students from coercive action including arrests as sought by petitioners. The lawyers present in the court at the time of the hearing started chanting shame, shame in unison, after the judge gave the order declining relief to grieving students. The High Court had also issued notices to the Centre and Delhi Police, asking them to file a response on the plea over Jamia Millia University incident.
The petitions were being heard by a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court headed by Chief Justice DN Patel.
Petitioners argued that the police should be prevented from initiating any proceedings against the students for protesting peacefully. All petitions relating to protests in Delhi were merged and heard together including petitions challenging detention, seeking relief and release of Jamia students.
The court has posted the matter for further hearing on February 4, 2020.