13 October,2026 01:25 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
The petition contends that the Supreme Court had previously recognised Jantar Mantar as a designated site for protests. File Pic/PTI
A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging restrictions on protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and the Delhi Police's decision to designate three alternative venues for public demonstrations, reported the PTI.
The plea challenges a standing order issued by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar on October 11, which de-notified Jantar Mantar as a protest site and designated Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi as alternative venues for protests and demonstrations, the news agency reported.
The petitioner has questioned the rationale behind the restrictions and raised concerns over the suitability and accessibility of the newly designated locations for public gatherings.
According to the standing order, the Delhi Police will issue a detailed and revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) separately for protests at the three designated venues.
The revised guidelines are expected to set out the arrangements and procedures governing demonstrations at these locations.
The petition contends that the Supreme Court had previously recognised Jantar Mantar as a designated site for protests and rejected Ramlila Maidan as an unsuitable alternative, according to the PTI.
It questions the decision to withdraw the designation of Jantar Mantar and shift demonstrations to other locations, raising concerns about whether the alternative venues are suitable for hosting public protests.
The plea also alleges that some of the proposed sites are located near landfill areas, questioning their suitability for accommodating public gatherings.
Former Delhi High Court judge Mukta Gupta is likely to lead the legal team representing the petitioner, as per the PTI.
The petition challenges the restrictions imposed on protest venues in the national capital and raises questions about the availability of suitable locations for citizens to exercise their right to peaceful public demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will hear all petitions linked to the protests in Delhi on Thursday, October 15. The court has also granted the Centre an extension until Thursday to file its response to two pleas concerning restrictions during the demonstrations and alleged police detentions, reported the ANI.
The petitions include a contempt plea seeking action against authorities for allegedly disobeying the Supreme Court's October 8 order, as well as another plea challenging alleged detentions by the police.
Several pleas were mentioned for urgent listing before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, as per the PTI.
"We will list all these matters. Make sure that the defects are cured," CJI told senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who mentioned the matter before the bench, the PTI reported.
The Centre sought additional time to respond to the two petitions, and the Supreme Court agreed to extend the deadline until Thursday.
The pleas raise concerns over the implementation of the court's earlier directions and the action taken by authorities during the ongoing protests in the national capital, according to the ANI.
(with PTI inputs)
