Gujarat HC Demands Wider Publicity for Restrictive Notifications

The Gujarat High Court has criticized the limited publicity of notifications restricting public gatherings under the BNSS and Gujarat Police Act, stating they infringe on fundamental rights. Justice M R Mengdey insisted that these be widely publicized via social media, beyond mere publication in the gazette.

The Gujarat High Court has criticized the limited publicity given to notifications restricting public gatherings under the BNSS or the Gujarat Police Act. The Court stated that merely publishing these notifications in the official gazette is insufficient and violates citizens' fundamental rights.

Justice M R Mengdey directed that these notifications, issued under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, should be widely publicized. The notifications in question were related to a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act in 2019.

The Court stressed the importance of using mass communication tools, including social media, to disseminate such information, ensuring the public is adequately informed about their rights and the legal restrictions imposed.

(With inputs from agencies.)