Ramlila crackdown: SC dismisses Ramdev's petition

The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition filed by the Ramdev-run Bharat Swabhiman Trust seeking review of its judgement in which it had criticised the yoga guru's disciples for indulging in brick batting with police during the midnight crackdown at the Ramlila Maidan last summer.

"We have considered the averments in the review petition. Having regard to the facts and issues involved, in our opinion, no case for review is made out. There is no error in the impugned order," a bench of justices B S Chauhan and Swatanter Kumar said.

Ramdev's trust had sought relook into the February 22 verdict in which it was held that his trust contributed to the "negligence" leading to the occurrence in question and are

"vicariously liable" for the events of the midnight of June 4, 2011 during their protest against corruption.

The apex court had also came down heavily on the state and the Delhi Police for the crackdown and sought criminal prosecution as well as disciplinary action against erring police personnel.

The court had called the action against Ramdev and his supporters, who were on protest against the government "inaction" in bringing back black money stashed abroad, as striking at the foundation of democracy but felt it was not mala fide in law.

The court awarded a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the family members of Raj Bala, who had died in the incident. Twenty five per cent of the amount would come from Ramdev's trust.

The bench also awarded a compensation of Rs 50,000 for those who suffered grievous injuries in the incident and Rs 25,000 for those with simple injuries.