The Delhi High Court has directed the Union government to clarify its stand on petitions seeking the regulation of public demonstrations across the national capital in accordance with established standard operating procedures.
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma instructed counsel representing the Centre and other relevant authorities to obtain necessary instructions before the matter is heard again on Friday. The bench agreed to hear the case after granting an urgent listing request earlier in the day.
Coordination With Supreme Court Proceedings
The High Court also directed the petitioners—a collective of traders, street vendors, and lawyers—to place on record copies of protest-related matters currently pending before the Supreme Court. The judges clarified that the High Court would not rule on issues that are already sub judice before the apex court.
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma informed the bench that the petitions before the Supreme Court had been deferred to October 15. In their submissions, senior counsel appearing for the petitioners maintained that authorities must comply with several directives previously issued by the Supreme Court regarding the regulation of demonstrations.
Economic Losses and Access Restrictions
The legal challenge arises amid ongoing demonstrations in Central Delhi, where opposition parties, student organisations, and civil society groups have staged protests since June and July over the functioning of the Election Commission.
Senior Counsel Sacchin Puri, representing petitioner and advocate Rishabh Saxena, submitted that massive crowds in the city centre had severely impeded daily activity. He stated that security barricades and ongoing protest management had cost local traders up to Rs 2,000 crore, making key commercial districts such as Connaught Place entirely inaccessible to the public.
Senior Counsel Sanjay Poddar, appearing for the traders, emphasized that the disruption directly harms businesses during their most critical trading window, noting that the festive season spanning October through February typically accounts for peak commercial activity.
