The Delhi High Court on Thursday, October 15, refused to restrain the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its founder Abhijeet Dipke from holding a protest at Central Park in Connaught Place on Friday, October 16. The court recorded the Delhi Police's assurance that all necessary steps would be taken to regulate the gathering and maintain law and order.
The matter came up before a bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma, which was hearing a petition filed by a licensed street vendor in Connaught Place. The petitioner sought directions to the police to regulate the proposed demonstration in accordance with the law.
The vendor expressed concerns that another protest in central Delhi could disrupt business activities during the festive season, particularly for traders and vendors operating in and around Connaught Place and Palika Bazar.
Delhi High Court records police assurance
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, appearing for the authorities, told the court that steps had already been taken to control the CJP's activities and address the petitioner's concerns.
The court accepted the assurance and declined to issue a specific order restraining the party from holding the protest. When the petitioner's counsel pressed for an explicit direction to stop the gathering, the bench indicated that its order had already addressed the matter by recording the authorities' undertaking.
The petition is scheduled to be taken up for further hearing on November 3.
Why is CJP planning a protest at Connaught Place?
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has called on people to assemble at Central Park in Connaught Place on October 16, carrying the national flag. The proposed demonstration, described as a 'Lehra Do Tiranga' protest, comes amid a series of demonstrations over alleged electoral fraud and the actions of the authorities against protesters.
Dipke has alleged that students, young people and opposition leaders have faced police action while raising concerns about electoral processes and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The protest call also follows the detention of CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were sent to five-day judicial custody in connection with an alleged breach of peace bonds and trespassing at Jantar Mantar, which has been denotified as a designated protest site.
The proposed gathering has also drawn political support, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announcing its participation in the protest.
Delhi Police proposes limited gathering amid security restrictions
Following the court proceedings, Delhi Police said it could facilitate a group of 11 people to carry the national flag and sing the national anthem at a suitable location in Central Park. The police also urged the public not to join the proposed mass gathering, citing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Violations could invite legal action.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has also announced that Central Park will remain closed to the public on October 16 and 17 for administrative reasons. Police cited security concerns and representations from local trader and market associations, which expressed apprehension about disruptions to business during the festive period.
The CJP's response to the police's proposal to limit the gathering to 11 people was awaited in the latest reports.
Protests over electoral rolls continue
The proposed Connaught Place demonstration comes amid continuing political tensions over alleged electoral irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Opposition parties and student organisations have held demonstrations in Delhi, while the Supreme Court has issued notices to the Election Commission and senior election officials on petitions challenging aspects of the electoral roll revision exercise.
With the High Court declining to prohibit the CJP's proposed protest, attention now turns to how Delhi Police will manage the gathering amid existing restrictions, concerns over public order and the potential impact on businesses in the capital's commercial hub.
