The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to list a plea seeking directions to the Delhi Police to allow peaceful protests at Jantar Mantar in the national capital.
The plea was mentioned before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant amid ongoing protests in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Appearing for the petitioner, counsel submitted that the Delhi Police was not permitting peaceful protests in the city, including demonstrations by students, citizens, office-bearers of registered political parties and Members of Parliament.
Highlighting that neither students nor ordinary citizens were being permitted to demonstrate peacefully, counsel urged the Court to intervene on the urgent issue. CJI Surya Kant questioned the scope of the petition, inquiring about the petitioner’s identity and whether it was filed as a PIL. Upon learning that the plea specifically requested directions for Delhi Police to allow peaceful assemblies, the CJI agreed to list the case for arguments after verifying if similar petitions were already pending.
The Supreme Court thereafter agreed to list the matter for consideration.
The plea comes against the backdrop of demonstrations being held in Delhi concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Several political leaders and lawyers have participated in protests seeking action against him over issues relating to the functioning of the Election Commission.
The petitioner has raised a broader grievance concerning restrictions on peaceful demonstrations in Delhi, contending that students, citizens, political representatives and MPs have also faced difficulties in holding protests.
The plea seeks directions to the Delhi Police to facilitate peaceful protests, including at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest venue in the national capital. The Supreme Court will first examine the maintainability and nature of the petition, as well as whether similar proceedings are already pending before it.
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