Citizens entitled to protest; slogans like BJP 'murdabad’ and ‘Amit Shah murdabad' not ground for externment: Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court has made it clear that citizens have the right to protest and express their opinions, even if it means raising slogans against the government or its leaders. The court's remarks came while hearing a case against the externment of a former Lok Sabha candidate, Chaudhary, from Mumbai and its adjoining areas for a period of one year. Justice Madhav Jamdar sharply criticized the action taken by the Mumbai police, stating that such slogans are not a valid reason for externment. The judge also orally remarked that police officers are authorities answerable to the public and not functionaries of the ministers. This statement highlights the importance of police accountability to the public. The court's decision emphasizes the need to protect citizens' rights to freedom of speech and expression. The Mumbai police's decision to extern Chaudhary was seen as an attempt to curb his right to protest and express his opinions. The court's criticism of the police's action is a significant step towards upholding the rights of citizens and ensuring that the police do not overstep their authority. The case has brought attention to the need for police accountability and the importance of protecting citizens' rights to freedom of speech and expression. The court's decision is expected to have implications for similar cases in the future, where citizens' rights to protest and express their opinions may be at risk.