The Supreme Court has agreed to examine a public interest litigation seeking to shift public protest venues away from Jantar Mantar, asking the Union government to respond to claims that frequent demonstrations disrupt essential services and cause severe hardship to local residents.
A bench led by the Chief Justice of India and including Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued notices to the Centre and other respondents on Monday. The bench instructed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to obtain necessary directions from relevant administrative authorities regarding the issues raised in the plea.
Disruption to Essential Supplies and Movement
The petition, filed by Satish Chand Kaushik, argues that the central Delhi location is no longer suitable for large public assemblies. The plea highlights that continuous demonstrations impede entry and exit points in the surrounding area, hampering the transport of essential goods and interfering with emergency medical services. The petitioner has asked the court to mandate an alternative designated site for future public rallies.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice observed that the petition raises critical concerns regarding access and movement in the locality, emphasizing the need for official instructions before scheduling a dedicated follow-up hearing.
Bench Refuses Orders on Planned Political Rally
In the same hearing, counsel for the petitioner brought up an upcoming political demonstration, noting that Arvind Kejriwal had announced plans during a town hall meeting to march to the Prime Minister’s residence. The lawyer requested judicial oversight to prevent a repeat of an incident recorded on July 20.
The bench declined to comment on or intervene in the proposed march, stating that law enforcement agencies possess the capability to manage such events. The Chief Justice remarked that the petitioner could approach the court if authorities failed to handle the situation appropriately.
The matter will be listed separately for further proceedings after the government submits its response.
