Supreme Court seeks Centre’s reply on Jantar Mantar denotification, Delhi names 3 new protest sites

The decision to withdraw Jantar Mantar’s status as a designated protest site in Delhi has come under judicial scrutiny, with the Supreme Court issuing notice to the Centre and Delhi Police on a petition challenging the move.

The top court said on Thursday that it would examine the responses submitted by the authorities before deciding the next course of action.

“We are issuing notice to the Centre, Delhi Police, seeking their reply. Let them reply. If it doesn't satisfy, then the law will run its course,” the court said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the court that the decision to denotify Jantar Mantar had been taken on the recommendation of a committee.

Three locations designated for protests

The legal challenge comes days after Delhi Police issued an order on October 11 identifying Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi as venues for demonstrations. The order stated that separate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for organising protests at the three locations would be issued.

Responsibility for managing the venues rests with different civic and development authorities. Bookings for Ramlila Maidan are managed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), while CBD Ground in Shahdara and Burari Ground fall under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

However, regulations governing how the DDA will allocate grounds for political activities are still being formulated.

New venues have different protest histories

The three designated locations have varying histories of hosting political gatherings. Ramlila Maidan has been a venue for political protests and sit-ins for more than a century, making it an established location for large public demonstrations.

CBD Ground in Shahdara and Burari Ground, by contrast, have not hosted such events for years. Their designation as alternative venues therefore marks a change in the arrangements for holding protests in the capital.

Why Jantar Mantar remains significant

Located in the heart of Delhi, Jantar Mantar has long been a prominent site for protests on political and public-interest issues. Its removal from the list of designated protest venues has revived questions about where demonstrators can gather in the capital.

The controversy comes amid recent protests over a range of issues, including examination paper leaks and allegations of “vote chori”, or vote theft.

The Supreme Court’s notice has brought the decision back into focus, with the Centre and Delhi Police now required to respond to the petition challenging Jantar Mantar’s denotification.