Delhi HC Refuses to Ban CJP Protest at Connaught Place, Leaves Regulation to Police

Delhi HC Allows CJP Protest at Connaught Place, Police Asked to Ensure Law and Order

The Delhi High Court on Thursday declined to stop the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), founded by 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 it would take “all possible measures under the law” to regulate the gathering and maintain order.

In a separate development, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) announced that Central Park would remain closed to the general public on October 16 and 17 for “administrative reasons”. The authorities did not clarify whether the closure would also restrict access for CJP protesters.

The decision comes amid heightened tensions following the detention of hundreds of people who attempted to reach the Jantar Mantar road area near Connaught Place for the CJP’s October 10 demonstration against alleged electoral fraud.

The Congress-led INDIA bloc has also been protesting over the issue, with the two movements increasingly appearing to align against the BJP-led central government. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has largely remained away from INDIA bloc activities, has announced that it will participate in the CJP demonstration. Dipke has appealed to protesters to carry the national flag.

Street Vendor Raises Concerns Over Business Disruption

The High Court bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma was hearing a petition filed by a licensed street vendor who sought directions for the police to regulate the proposed gathering in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines.

The petitioner argued that repeated restrictions in central Delhi could severely affect traders and street vendors, particularly during the festive season.

The vendor’s lawyer contended that another weekend of disruptions could cause financial losses to businesses in Connaught Place. The counsel also questioned the suitability of Central Park as a protest venue, arguing that the demonstration would interfere with commercial activity during the Dussehra weekend.

Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, representing the authorities, informed the court that arrangements had already been initiated to regulate the gathering.

Meanwhile, permission has been granted for a parallel protest at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan.

CJP Founder Alleges Crackdown on Demonstrators

Addressing a press conference in Delhi on Thursday, Dipke accused the authorities of targeting protesters and detaining people participating in demonstrations over the past fortnight.

He claimed that Opposition leaders who joined the protests had also faced detention and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was protecting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Dipke also referred to CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were jailed after allegedly entering the now-denotified Jantar Mantar protest site earlier this week. The two face trespass charges.

He said students, youth organisations and Opposition leaders had been subjected to police action while raising concerns about alleged electoral irregularities. Among the leaders he mentioned were Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Pinarayi Vijayan.

Journalist Claims Assault During Protest Coverage

AISA activist Neha Bora alleged that journalists covering the demonstrations had been beaten, dragged away and detained for hours despite carrying press identification cards.

She further claimed that cameras belonging to journalists had been confiscated during the police action.

Supreme Court Takes Up INDIA Bloc’s SIR Challenge

Separately, the Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices to the Election Commission of India, the Chief Election Commissioner and the two Election Commissioners on petitions filed by Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders concerning decisions linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The proceedings also brought attention to the INDIA bloc’s October 12 march from Barakhamba Road towards the Supreme Court premises.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant remarked, “Nobody can browbeat the judiciary.”

The apex court also issued notices to Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and others in a separate petition challenging the march. It directed that CCTV footage from the court premises covering the demonstration be preserved.