‘Abuse of law, withdraw case’: Citizens to Bengaluru police on FIR over Sankey Road flyover protest

“This walk was done in support of the environment, to celebrate the life-affirming nature of trees and lakes. Citizens coming together to walk—in support of, and to celebrate trees; silently and without obstruction to any traffic—is an act protected by our right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19 (1) (a) and our right to assemble under Article 19 (1)(b),” the letter adds.

Calling the FIR “arbitrary and baseless”, the letter said that it was a violation of the citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression, peaceful assembly and right to life.

The Sadashivanagar police on February 19 had booked about 70 citizens for staging a protest against the Sankey Road flyover. The Karnataka government later dropped the plan to build the flyover following widespread opposition. The citizens were booked under sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 341 (wrongful restraint), 283 (obstruction to any person in any public way) and 149 (unlawful assembly with common object) of the Indian Penal Code.

The issue came to light after a couple of citizens received notices from the police.

“We therefore demand that the baseless allegations against the citizens be withdrawn and the case be closed immediately. We request an inquiry be initiated into the abuse of law in this case. We have a right to a sustainable future. We owe it to our children to leave behind a healthy city. Actions such as a silent walk harm no one, violate no laws, and in fact, work to deepen our democracy,” the letter said.