New Delhi, May 19 -- Violence in the form of "shoot and scoot" actions cannot be recognised as a legitimate mode of protest under any tenet of demosprudence, the Delhi High Court has held, while expressing concern over a section of society reportedly indulging in disruptive activities under the guise of protest.

A bench of justice Girish Kathpalia, in its May 16 order, observed that although protests are an important component of democracy, violence carried out in the name of protest cannot be accepted.

"To reiterate, protests do form a significant part of democracy. But violence in the name of protest cannot be acceptable to any tenet of demosprudence. Such acts of shoot and scoot do not constitute a protest. It is indeed a matter of s...