What happened
The Uttarakhand High Court criticised the State government after police detained activist Prabhat Dhyani while he was travelling to Delhi to join a protest at Jantar Mantar. The court questioned the legal basis for stopping a citizen from travelling to another State for a protest and directed the responsible police officer to respond before the next hearing.
Background and earlier position
What changed now
The High Court pushed back against the State’s position and asked why Uttarakhand Police had stopped a person from travelling within India. The State’s counsel relied on prohibitory orders issued in Delhi under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), argued that citizens must follow lawful police directions, and said a violation of Delhi’s prohibitory orders could amount to a cognisable offence. The State also referred to national security concerns. The court stated that any possible breach of Delhi’s order would fall under Delhi Police jurisdiction and described the detention as goondagardi.
Why it matters for UPSC
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