The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed concern about the damage to public property during protests, saying the country cannot be held to ransom in the name of agitation. The court said strict action must be taken against individuals or political parties that destroy public property during any of their agitations. The court also said it will frame guidelines to punish people who damage or destroy public property, reported The Times of India. A bench headed by Justice JS Khehar also suggested that people might have to pay for the damage or loss of public property, reported PTI.

The court was hearing a plea filed by Patidar leader Hardik Patel, challenging sedition charges against him. In its previous hearing on Patel's plea, the court expanded its ambit to examine the matter of damage to public property during last year's Patidar reservation agitation led by Patel.