SC issues notice to government on eviction of Baba Ramdev

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the government on eviction of Baba Ramdev from the Ramlila ground. Taking suomoto cognizance of Baba's eviction by the government the apex court gave the government two-week notice to respond. 

An advocate on Sunday approached the Supreme Court seeking a direction to the government to issue a white paper on the entire episode leading to the eviction of yoga guru Ramdev and the alleged barbaric police action early today against his followers at the Ramlila Grounds. 

The petition filed by Ajay Agarwal said in the white paper the government should explain the entire sequence of events, details of negotiations and the so-called deal between the government and Ramdev. 

The petition, moved before Additional Registrar Vinod Kumar who is the vacation officer, sought a direction to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Intelligence Bureau and Delhi Police to produce the entire records leading to the action. 

The advocate has sought the production of these records with in 24 hours. 

The additional registrar asked Agarwal to mention the petition tomorrow before a vacation bench comprising justices B S Chauhan and Swantanter Kumar at 10:30 am for hearing. 

The petition has also sought direction to the government to restrain its ministers -- Kapil Sibal , Subodh Kant Sahay and Pawan Kumar Bansal -- from making any statement, justifying the midnight swoop which is leading to provocation among the public. 

In the petition, Agarwal has named Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister P Chidambaram, Sibal, Bansal, Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar, Home Secretary G K Pillai, IB Chief Nehchal Sandhu and Delhi Police Commissioner B K Gupta as respondents. 

In the petition, the advocate has alleged that the forceful eviction of Ramdev and the use of force against his followers was against the fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 14,19 and 21 of the Constitution. (PTI)