Delhi Police has removed Jantar Mantar from its list of notified protest sites and designated Burari Ground, Ramlila Maidan and CBD Ground as alternative venues, telling the Delhi High Court that the decision followed observations made by the Supreme Court on October 9.
The change was disclosed during a hearing on a petition filed by Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib, who has challenged the denial of permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar and questioned the rules governing permissions at designated protest locations. The case concerns how Delhi authorities balance public demonstrations with access, safety and the functioning of transport and public spaces.
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, appearing for Delhi Police, told the High Court that Jantar Mantar had already been removed from the notified list. He argued that the change had been made after the Supreme Court’s October 9 proceedings and that the petition’s original purpose had consequently become ineffective.
According to the police, the change was incorporated into a standing order on October 12, based on recommendations of a committee constituted under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The three locations now notified as protest sites are Burari Ground, Ramlila Maidan and CBD Ground.
The Supreme Court’s October 9 observations arose during a hearing on petitions challenging restrictions imposed on metro and railway services in connection with a protest scheduled for the following day. The court had indicated that authorities should consider identifying and notifying an alternative site for peaceful demonstrations. It also emphasised that such a location should have basic facilities, including toilets, drinking water and medical services, and should be large enough for emergency services to reach it if required.
The supplied court report states that the Supreme Court did not directly order the removal of Jantar Mantar from the list of protest sites. Instead, it asked the authorities to consider identifying and notifying a better-equipped alternative location for peaceful demonstrations. The distinction is central to the dispute now before the High Court.
Chib’s petition also challenges what it describes as a wider practice of refusing permission even at designated protest sites. His petition argues that the power to deny permission should be used sparingly and subject to reasonable restrictions. Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Chib, opposed the police’s claim that the petition had become ineffective after Jantar Mantar’s removal. He told the court that the matter should continue and that the petition could be amended if necessary.
Justice Amit Mahajan observed that the issue remaining before the court may now be academic, but the High Court nevertheless issued notice to Delhi Police and sought its response. The court has listed the matter for further hearing on November 17. No final decision has yet been delivered on the legality of removing Jantar Mantar from the notified list or on the rules governing permissions at the alternative protest sites.
