Supreme Court Declines Urgent Hearing on Central Park Shutdown

The Supreme Court has declined an urgent hearing on a plea challenging the New Delhi Municipal Council's order shutting down Central Park at Connaught Place. This last-minute closure blocked plans for a 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march and associated trade by the Cockroach Janta Party.

After a brief hearing, the bench indicated that the plea may be listed either on October 26 or 27. Cockroach Janta Party leader Abhijeet Dipke had called on 'patriots' to gather with the national flag at the park in Delhi's business hub on Friday. The lawyer submitting the plea stated that the NDMC issued directions late Thursday night to shut the park, effectively preventing trade from taking place.

Judges link protest, trade, and law order concerns

The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. The bench emphasized the interconnectedness of protest rights, small traders’ livelihoods, and public order concerns.

Justice Bagchi observed that the issues surrounding the protest, including the right to protest, the proposed selling of 'mungfali' and concerns over law and order, were interconnected. "Someone wants to protest, someone wants to sell 'mungfali', someone wants law and order. All these are related," Justice Bagchi said.

The court expressed hope that better sense would prevail. It noted the hardship small shopkeepers and their families would face from a loss of business during this period. Justice Bagchi indicated the court had ample jurisdiction to intervene if official measures were found to be disproportionate, including through its powers under public and compensation law. The bench stated it could exercise its constitutional jurisdiction if the situation resulted in business losses.

CJP leaders jailed over protest-related allegations

In a related development, two Cockroach Janta Party figures were sent to judicial custody. Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail.

They were jailed for allegedly violating their peace bonds and trespassing into Jantar Mantar, which has been denotified as a protest area. This followed their participation in CJP-led activities. An Assistant Commissioner of Police alleged that the journalist and members of the Cockroach Janta Party, including Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, Saurav Das, and Ratna Singh, circulated posts and reels on social media platforms X and Instagram accusing him. Abhijeet Dipke alleged that CJP's co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were jailed for unfurling the Tricolour.

The bench indicated the plea may be listed for hearing on October 26 or 27.