The government today told the Supreme Court that ''Khalistanis'' had infiltrated the farmers’ protests going at Delhi border against the three farm laws.
As Attorney General KK Venugopal made the statement, the Supreme Court asked him to file an affidavit. The top government lawyer said he would do so by tomorrow along with inputs from the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
The Supreme Court today put the three farm laws on hold that has caused a massive stir near Delhi by thousands of farmers. The court has also formed a committee to negotiate between the Centre and the farmers from the next round of talks.
Chief Justice SA Bobde said, “We are staying three farm laws until further orders,”
The SC decided to form the panel to resolve the deadlock between the farmer unions and the government.
Today's hearing was benched by Chief Justice S A Bobde and comprising of Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian.
The Khalistan reference appeared in the courtroom when a farmer group in favour of the farm laws claimed that outlawed organisations had entered the site of the protest.
Senior lawyer Harish Salve, appearing for a petitioner supporting the farm laws, told the top court, "Those who organised rallies for Khalistan have put up flags at the protests".
Chief Justice of India SA Bobde asked the Attorney General whether the allegations could be confirmed.
"We have said that Khalistanis have infiltrated into the protests," Mr Venugopal said.
"If there is an infiltration by a banned organization, and somebody is making an allegation here on record, you have to confirm it. You file an affidavit by tomorrow, said CJI.
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"Yes. I will file the affidavit and place the IB records," said the Attorney General.
Since the beginning of the farmers’ agitation, senior ministers and BJP leaders have been accusing the involvement of Khalistanis in the farmers' protests, besides also calling them as ‘Naxals’.