New Delhi, April 20 -- The Supreme Court on Friday expressed surprise over passing of "blanket" orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), prohibiting meetings, gatherings and processions on the grounds of impending elections in some states without prior permission of the local authorities. A bench headed by justice BR Gavai directed that the competent authority will decide within three days seeking permission for holding any public meeting or yatra. HTC...