HC suggests online system for parties to seek nod for rallies

THE Madras High Court has suggested introduction of an online system for enabling political parties to submit applications for permission to hold meetings and said ‘a first come, first served’ method could be adopted if multiple parties seek permission to hold events at a particular venue.

- R SIVAKUMAR @ Chennai

The first division bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G Arul Murugan made the suggestion when a petition, filed by the TVK, challenging certain provisions of the standard operating procedure (SOP) issued by the state government came up for hearing. The court directed the state government to file a counter-affidavit to the petition within three weeks, and adjourned the hearing accordingly.