The Madras High Court today wondered how police officials in Coimbatore district were denying permission to conduct a public meeting when the government itself has stated in the assembly that it is more than liberal in granting permissions for demonstrations.
Justice V.Ramasubramanyan was hearing a petition filed by one P.Ramachandran, the President, Coimbatore North District, Dravidar Viduthalay Kazhagamam, seeking a direction to the Coimbatore Police to grant permission for a public meeting.
"When the government itself on the floor of the assembly stated that it is only the state government which granted permission to more than 21000 persons for holding demonstrations liberally, why this denial," the judge asked the Additional Government Pleader and directed the Inspector of Police to grant permission for the meeting on August 16.
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The Coimbatore police had denied permission to the meeting by the petitioner's party.
Justice V.Ramasubramanyan allowed the petition seeking a direction to the police to allow the meeting to be held on August 16.
Refuting the arguments of the Additional Government Pleader that the authorities might not have granted permission in view of the coming Lord Ganesh festival, the judge said "I do not think that the above reason could actually scuttle the fundamental rights of persons guaranteed under the constitution to assemble positively and propagate whatever they believe in."
"The authorities are directed to permit the petitioners to conduct the demonstration and meeting subject to the terms and conditions that the Inspector of Police, Mettupalayam, may impose.
