Supreme Court Issues Notice to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann on Chandigarh Administration’s Plea Against Quashing of 2020 Protest FIR

July 30, 2026 : The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on an appeal filed by the Chandigarh Administration challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s decision to quash an FIR registered against him and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders in connection with a 2020 protest against the hike in electricity tariffs.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana agreed to examine the challenge after Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, appearing for the Chandigarh Administration, argued that the High Court’s findings were “perverse” and legally unsustainable. Taking note of the submissions, the Supreme Court issued notice to Bhagwant Mann and the other respondents, seeking their response.

The case arises out of an FIR registered by the Chandigarh Police following a protest march led by Mann and other AAP leaders in 2020. The demonstrators were allegedly marching to gherao the residence of the then Punjab Chief Minister over the increase in electricity tariffs. Police used water cannons to disperse the crowd, after which incidents of alleged stone-pelting were reported, leading to the registration of the criminal case.

On November 29, 2025, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, through Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya, quashed the FIR. The High Court held that the police had no legal basis to stop the protest because no prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) were in force at the time of the demonstration.

The High Court also observed that none of the individuals who allegedly pelted stones had been identified and that there was no allegation suggesting Bhagwant Mann or the other accused had instigated the violence. According to the Court, the prosecution failed to attribute any specific words, gestures, or acts of incitement to the accused persons.

Holding that the essential ingredients of offences relating to rioting, unlawful assembly, and assault on public servants were not established, the High Court quashed the criminal proceedings against Mann and the other AAP leaders.

Aggrieved by the decision, the Chandigarh Administration approached the Supreme Court. By issuing notice on the appeal, the apex court has now initiated proceedings to examine whether the High Court was justified in setting aside the FIR. The matter will now proceed after the respondents file their replies.