Sabarimala case: Lawyer gets death threats, Supreme Court orders police protection

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Jan 18, 2016: The Supreme Court today asked the Delhi Police to ensure safety of the petitioner in the Sabarimala case. The court told the police to ensure safety of lawyer Naushad Ahmed Khan after he claimed that he is receiving death threats for challenging the decision of Ayyappa temple, Sabarimala, Kerala to ban the entry of women.

 

The apex court, which issued the order in this regard to Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi, would hear the matter next on February 8.

The court had earlier said a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) once filed and heard cannot be withdrawn. The observation had come during a hearing on a lawyer’s plea that he was getting threats for filing a PIL seeking entry of girls and women in Sabarimala Temple.

An apex court bench comprising Justice Dipak Misra and Justice NV Ramana had then said once a PIL is filed and entertained, the litigant cannot withdraw it.

The apex court bench noted this when Naushad Ahmed Khan, President of Indian Young Lawyers’ Association which has filed the PIL on Sabarimala issue, sought urgent hearing of the matter.

Khan had said that he has received 500 threat calls, asking him to withdraw the PIL.

 

Courtesy: Indiatoday