A street vendor from Connaught Place has approached the Delhi High Court seeking to restrain the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) from holding a protest at the Central Delhi location on Friday, citing disruption to daily life, traffic congestion and financial losses for local businesses.
The plea was mentioned before a Bench led by Acting Chief Justice Nitin W Sambre by Senior Advocate Sacchin Puri, who sought immediate interim intervention to prevent the proposed demonstration.
“This protest has to be stopped,” Puri submitted, referring to the alleged disruption to normal life, severe traffic bottlenecks and mounting financial losses suffered by shop owners in Central Delhi.
The Bench noted that the Supreme Court was already considering a number of matters concerning the issue. It asked Puri to return after the apex court took up the matter at 2.30 pm.
“Come back at 2.30 after Supreme Court hears the matter, we will consider,” Acting Chief Justice Sambre remarked.
Street vendor seeks restrictions on protests in central Delhi
The petition has been filed by Anil Kumar Gupta, who identifies himself as a street vendor at Palika Bazar in Connaught Place. He has sought restrictions on protests across Central Delhi, including Connaught Place.
The plea requests a direction restraining the CJP from organising any agitation, demonstration, march or gathering at Central Park in Connaught Place or at any other location that has not been designated as a protest venue.
Gupta's plea comes amid concerns over the impact of demonstrations on traffic movement, public convenience and commercial activity in the capital's central business district.
CJP calls for gathering over leaders' detention
The proposed protest follows a call by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke asking citizens to assemble with the national flag at Central Park in Connaught Place at 5 pm on October 16.
The gathering has been called to protest the detention of party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were remanded to five days of judicial custody over allegations that they entered Jantar Mantar without authorisation.
The planned demonstration has brought the party's protest activities into focus, with the vendor's petition seeking to prevent gatherings at Connaught Place and other locations that have not been officially designated for demonstrations.
The Delhi High Court is expected to consider the plea after the Supreme Court hears the related matters at 2.30 pm. The Bench has not yet issued a final direction on the requested restraint.