SC seeks government response on denotification of Jantar Mantar as protest site

Delhi Police's October 11 order named Ramlila Ground in Old Delhi, CBD Ground in East Delhi and Burari Ground in North Delhi as the alternative protest venues.

In Short

• Court questioned if decision was due to its observations or suitability assessment
• Solicitor General said committee report, not court ruling, led to decision
• Delhi Police named three alternative venues for protests in October 11 order

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice on PILs challenging Delhi Police’s decision to denotify Jantar Mantar as a protest site and designate three alternative venues.

The court asked whether the decision was prompted by its oral observations or followed an assessment of Jantar Mantar’s suitability as a protest venue.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the court’s ruling was not the basis for the move. He said a committee had been formed much earlier and had submitted a detailed report.

Delhi Police’s October 11 order named Ramlila Ground in Old Delhi, CBD Ground in East Delhi and Burari Ground in North Delhi as the alternative protest venues.

The order, signed by Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, partially modified an April 28, 2022, order designating Jantar Mantar as a protest site. It cited recommendations from a Union Home Ministry committee and said revised procedures for gatherings at the three sites would follow.

The decision came amid a standoff between Delhi Police and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over permission to protest at Jantar Mantar, and ahead of the INDIA bloc’s march to the Supreme Court against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

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