Politics
Archived — This article has been archived. The information may be outdated.
Bombay HC says protesting policies cannot justify externment
LiveLaw··3 Jul
Bombay High Court on July 3, 2026, held a person cannot be externed merely for organising protests against government policies. Justice Madhav Jamdar quashed externment orders against SDPI leader Saeed Chaudhary, saying peaceful dissent is protected under Articles 19 and 21. The court set aside December 2025 and March 2026 orders externing him from Mumbai for one year.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Peaceful protest rights remain protected against externment orders in Maharashtra.
- Police externment powers face judicial scrutiny when used against dissent.
- Organising morchas against government policies cannot alone justify removal from an area.
What's Happening
- The court quashed Saeed Chaudhary's externment on July 3.
- December 2025 and March 2026 externment orders were set aside.
- Justice Jamdar held protesting policies is not grounds for externment.
Legal Context
- Chaudhary is secretary of the Social Democratic Party of India.
- Externment proceedings began in October under the Maharashtra Police Act.
- FIRs related to protests between 2019 and 2024.
all-newstop-stories
