SC refuses to issue omnibus directions

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to issue omnibus directions on a PIL seeking comprehensive guidelines to prevent stampedes during large public gatherings, including religious events, political rallies and yatras.

- PTI

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi allowed the petitioner to pursue the matter before the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Election Commission.

At the outset, the Chief Justice raised fundamental questions on the scope of judicial intervention in matters relating to crowd management and law and order. During the hearing, the bench asked, “Can we issue such directions at all?” and expressed reservations over the feasibility of court-mandated, all-encompassing guidelines for crowd control.