Image Source: TRIBUNE

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to issue blanket orders restraining the authorities from invoking the National Security Act (NSA) against the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protesters in Delhi.

Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had on January 10 extended detaining powers to the Delhi Police under the NSA for three months beginning January 19. Some other states, including Andhra Pradesh, have also invoked the stringent law under which the police can detain a person for 12 months without trial.

Protests have been taking place at various places in the country against the CAA and National Population Register (NPR) exercise due to commence in April.

Noting that the NSA can’t be allowed to be misused, a Bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said, “There can’t be a general order as public properties were being damaged during the protests.”