Supreme Court Refuses to Frame Guidelines to Prevent Stampedes

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has declined to issue directions on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking comprehensive guidelines to prevent stampedes during large public gatherings, including religious events, political rallies, and processions. A bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant allowed the petitioner to approach the Union Home Ministry and the Election Commission instead.

Responsibility for Law and Order
The court observed that maintaining law and order during public events is primarily the responsibility of the state governments and the central authorities. The bench noted that issuing such guidelines would amount to policymaking, a domain where enforcement agencies and experts in crowd management are better suited.

Balancing Rights and Public Safety
The petitioner argued that the Supreme Court has previously intervened in policy matters affecting vulnerable groups. In response, the Chief Justice remarked that while measures can be taken to regulate gatherings in the exercise of fundamental rights, practical limits exist. He explained, “For instance, if people want to hold a peaceful protest in Delhi, we can regulate it to ensure no one faces inconvenience while protecting freedom of expression. But if a rally in Chennai is planned for a ground with a capacity of 10,000 and 50,000 people show up, how do we manage that?”

The Supreme Court’s decision underscores the judiciary’s position that public safety during large gatherings primarily falls within the administrative domain of the government rather than the courts.