Jantar Mantar has been removed as a designated protest site after Delhi Police modified its standing order following a Supreme Court direction to identify suitable alternative locations with facilities for peaceful demonstrations. The police have designated Burari Ground, Ramlila Ground and CBD Ground as alternative protest sites.
The change was disclosed before the Delhi High Court by Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, who was representing the government. The submission was made while Justice Amit Mahajan was hearing a plea by Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib, who has challenged the denial of permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar before the site was denotified.
Delhi Police said on October 12 that it had modified the standing order that set out guidelines for demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. The notification said the change followed recommendations made by a committee under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Police subsequently identified Burari Ground, Ramlila Ground and CBD Ground as designated locations for protests.
The development follows the Supreme Court’s October 9 order in a case concerning the closure of metro and other services as a preventive measure ahead of a protest call scheduled for October 10. During the hearing, the court recorded that suitable alternative sites capable of providing basic infrastructure for peaceful protesters should be identified and designated.
The Supreme Court’s observation referred to the need to provide basic amenities to people engaged in lawful demonstrations. The court said that competent authorities should consider identifying sites with infrastructure to facilitate protests. Delhi Police told the High Court that the denotification of Jantar Mantar and designation of the three alternative sites were carried out in response to that direction.
The government argued that Chib’s petition had become infructuous because Jantar Mantar was no longer a designated protest site. Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Chib, opposed that position and said the petition should continue. He indicated that the plea would be amended but argued that the broader issues still required adjudication.
Chib’s petition also challenges the practice of denying permission to protest even at designated sites. It argues that such restrictions should be imposed narrowly and subject to reasonable limitations rather than being applied as a disproportionate measure.
Justice Mahajan recorded that the issue directly concerning permission at Jantar Mantar had become academic after the site’s denotification. The bench nevertheless issued notice to Delhi Police and sought its response. The matter will be heard next on November 17, when the court is expected to consider the continuing challenge to the protest-permission framework.
