'Khalistani Supporters Infiltrated Farmers' Protest', Centre To Submit Its Report To SC

AG's remarks came earlier in the day during top court's hearing on several petitions challenging the contentious agri laws and the removal of protesting farmers from Delhi's borders.

(File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: The Attorney General (AG) K K Venugopal on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that the Khalistan supporters have infiltrated the farmers protest against the three farm laws passed by the Centre last year. AG's remarks came earlier in the day during top court's hearing on several petitions challenging the contentious agri laws and the removal of protesting farmers from Delhi's borders. "We have said that Khalistanis have infiltrated into the protests." He added the government cannot allow one lakh people protesting against the farm laws to come into the national capital. "One group may go to the Parliament...the other group may come to the Supreme Court", said the AG. Responding to Venugopal's remark, a  bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian said that if there is infiltration by a banned organisation, then the government has to confirm it and asked him to file an affidavit by Wednesday. AG replied, "Yes, I will file an affidavit and the IB reports." The Chief Justice further queried the AG, "Isn't it in your power to check the number of people and see if they are armed or not, and if there is an infiltration by a banned organisation? The AG reiterated the government will bring on record the IB report on the aspect of infiltration. As per reports, the AG also submitted some protestors have said that the tractor rally will take place on Republic Day, and cited the injunction application filed by the Delhi Police before the top court to stop farmers from causing any disruption. The Chief Justice said the court will issue notice and it will hear the matter on Monday. At the end of the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta reiterated that the government from the first day has been saying that some other interest has joined the protest to spread apprehension about the farm laws and misleading them. Supreme Court concluded today's hearing by staying the implementation of the three farm laws and formed a four-member committee to hear farmers' grievances. However, the Farmers' Unions rejected the proposal of forming committee. "We'd issued a press note last night stating that we won't accept any committee formed by Supreme Court for mediation. We were confident that Centre will get a committee formed through Supreme Court to take the burden off their shoulders," Krantikari Kisan Union chief, Darshan Pal said during a press conference after top court's hearing.