Story perspectives

Chief Justice Affirms Lawyers’ Peaceful Protest Rights

By Drooid · Oct 12, 2026, 4:53 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Delhi High Court Bar Association ordered members to wear black ribbons to protest police excesses on Monday.
The ribbons express solidarity with lawyers allegedly manhandled during the October 10 protest.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant affirmed every lawyer’s right to peaceful protest in a Monday hearing.
Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana ordered removal of Section 163 restrictions and restoration of traffic and internet services.

History

Historical Context

In June 1975 Indira Gandhi invoked Articles 352 and 356 to impose a national emergency, suspending civil liberties and ordering mass arrests, including over 100,000 political opponents under MISA and DISIR. The crackdown targeted lawyers, prompting the Delhi High Court Bar Association to protest then; today’s black-ribbon rally echoes those 1975 demonstrations and the Supreme Court’s later affirmation of lawyers’ right to peaceful advocacy.

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Story summary

Delhi High Court Bar Association ordered members to wear black ribbons to protest police excesses on Monday.
The ribbons express solidarity with lawyers allegedly manhandled during the October 10 protest.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant affirmed every lawyer’s right to peaceful protest in a Monday hearing.
Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana ordered removal of Section 163 restrictions and restoration of traffic and internet services.

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