New Delhi, 15 October
Delhi High Court Refuses to Stop CJP’s October 16 Protest at Connaught Place
The Delhi High Court on Thursday, October 15, refused to restrain the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, from holding a protest at Connaught Place Central Park on Friday, October 16. The court, however, recorded the Delhi Police’s assurance that all possible measures would be taken to regulate and control the protest.
A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma was hearing a petition filed by Anil Kumar Gupta, a street vendor at Palika Bazar in Connaught Place, seeking to prevent the proposed demonstration. Delhi High Court Refuses to Stop CJP’s October 16 Protest at Connaught Place.
The petitioner argued that protests in the commercial hub could disrupt traffic, affect normal life and cause financial losses to local shopkeepers, particularly during the Dussehra weekend.
Delhi High Court Records Police Assurance
Senior advocate Sacchin Puri, representing Gupta, urged the court to issue an immediate interim order restraining the CJP from holding the protest.
“This protest has to be stopped,” Puri submitted, arguing that demonstrations in the area had caused significant disruption and affected businesses. Delhi High Court Refuses to Stop CJP’s October 16 Protest at Connaught Place.
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, representing the authorities, told the court that steps had already been taken to regulate the party’s activities. He assured the bench that the petitioner’s concerns would be addressed and that the police would take all possible measures to control the gathering.
The court recorded the assurance. When the petitioner’s counsel pressed for a specific direction prohibiting the protest, the bench declined to issue an additional restraint, stating, “Don’t insist. We have passed the order.”
The petition was taken up urgently earlier in the day following a request for an immediate hearing.
Connaught Place Vendor Raises Concerns
Gupta, who operates as a street vendor at Palika Bazar, approached the High Court seeking directions to prevent the CJP from organising protests, demonstrations, marches or gatherings at Central Park in Connaught Place and other locations not designated for such activities.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel said the proposed demonstration in the heart of Connaught Place had raised concerns among local businesses. Delhi High Court Refuses to Stop CJP’s October 16 Protest at Connaught Place.
The counsel also argued that the timing of the protest, coinciding with the Dussehra weekend, could affect commercial activity in the area.
The court’s decision leaves the planned protest scheduled for October 16 without the specific restraint sought by the petitioner, while the police have assured the court that appropriate measures will be taken to manage the gathering.
CJP Founder Calls for ‘Tiranga’ Protest
The proposed demonstration follows a call issued by CJP founder and national convener Abhijeet Dipke on Wednesday, October 14.
Dipke urged people to gather at Connaught Place Central Park on Friday carrying the national flag. He alleged that party members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka had been jailed for unfurling the Tricolour.
“We will show that waving a tiranga is not a crime,” Dipke said in a post on X.
He also appealed to supporters who could not travel to Delhi to organise Tricolour marches in their respective cities. Dipke expressed concern that he could also face arrest. Delhi High Court Refuses to Stop CJP’s October 16 Protest at Connaught Place.
The planned gathering has drawn attention to questions surrounding the right to peaceful protest and the restrictions applicable to designated demonstration sites in the national capital.
CJP Members Sent to Judicial Custody
The protest call came after Das and Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail, according to the report.
They were allegedly detained for violating their peace bonds and trespassing into Jantar Mantar, which has been denotified as a protest site.
Their detention has drawn criticism from various quarters. Amnesty International called for their immediate release and raised concerns about what it described as shrinking space for peaceful protest and dissent in the country.
The allegations concerning the arrests and the circumstances surrounding the proposed demonstration remain central to the controversy.
Delhi Police to Regulate October 16 Gathering
Delhi Police has informed the High Court that it will take all possible measures to control the planned protest at Connaught Place Central Park.
While the court declined to issue the specific prohibition sought by the petitioner, it recorded the police’s assurance regarding crowd and activity management.
The developments come as the CJP prepares for its October 16 demonstration in support of its members. The police response and the conduct of the gathering are likely to remain under scrutiny amid concerns raised by local vendors and business owners.
This report is based on the information provided. Further developments may follow as the situation unfolds.