The Indian Youth Congress has moved the Delhi High Court against Delhi Police’s decision to denotify Jantar Mantar as a designated site for protests and demonstrations, bringing the management of one of New Delhi’s most prominent public protest spaces before the court.
The application was filed on Wednesday in a pending petition initiated by IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib. The earlier petition had sought permission to hold protests at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
In the latest plea, the organisation challenged a standing order issued by Delhi Police commissioner Anurag Kumar on October 11. The order removed Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest locations and identified three alternative venues: Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi.
The police decision changes the location framework for demonstrations in the capital. Jantar Mantar has been used as a recognised venue for public protests, while the new order directs demonstrators towards sites located in different parts of the city. The order names venues in central Delhi, Burari and east Delhi as alternatives, according to the report.
The legal challenge arises from an existing case filed by the IYC. Its new application links the dispute over the protest venue to the organisation’s request to hold demonstrations concerning the Special Intensive Revision exercise. The allegations regarding that exercise are attributed to the IYC and have not been established as facts in the material available for this report.
The case places the administration of public demonstration spaces within the court’s consideration. Such decisions determine where groups can assemble and submit political demands while also defining the locations that police authorities will use for regulating protests in the city.
The police order is dated October 11, and the IYC’s challenge was reported on October 14. The supplied report does not specify whether the Delhi High Court has issued notice, passed an interim order or scheduled the matter for a particular hearing. It also does not provide the reasons cited in the standing order for denotifying Jantar Mantar or details of the operational arrangements at the three alternative venues.
The next development will depend on the Delhi High Court’s consideration of the application within the pending petition. Until the court records its response, the October 11 standing order remains the basis for the designation of the alternative protest venues identified by Delhi Police.
