Connaught Place Protest: Delhi HC Records Police Assurance Over CJP Gathering
Delhi High Court records police assurance to take legal action against the Cockroach Janta Party's proposed protest at Connaught Place.
The Delhi High Court has stepped in following concerns over a proposed protest by the CJP Connaught Place protest group, with the Delhi Police assuring the court that every legal measure will be employed to maintain order. The intervention came after a licensed street vendor filed a plea expressing fear that the gathering would cripple business activities in one of the city's busiest commercial hubs.
Vendor's Plea Against Business Disruption
The matter reached the bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma through a petition filed by Anil Kumar Gupta, a street vendor operating at Palika Bazar. Represented by Senior Advocate Sacchin Puri, the petitioner argued that Central Park in Connaught Place is not a designated site for protests and should not be used as such.
Advocate Puri highlighted the timing of the proposed gathering, noting that with Dussehra approaching, an illegal protest could cause significant chaos. He emphasized that Connaught Place serves as the "heart of Delhi" and that traders are already on edge. According to the petitioner, the business community suffered heavy losses over the previous weekend, and another such disruption this weekend could be devastating.
Concerns of Anarchy and Lawlessness
During the proceedings, the court questioned why there was a lack of confidence in the authorities' ability to handle the situation. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, representing the authorities, explained that the apprehensions stemmed from previous incidents of alleged lawlessness and anarchy.
The ASG pointed out that the potential impact extends to approximately 15 lakh traders in Delhi. He stated that the authorities are mindful of those who might attempt to "press the nerve of Delhi" to create an atmosphere of instability.
Focus on CJP Founder Abhijeet Dipke
A significant portion of the hearing focused on Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), who is named as a respondent in the petition. The petitioner's counsel sought specific directions regarding Dipke, fearing his conduct would lead to further disturbances in the area.
The court was informed that Dipke had already been served with the petition via email. In response to the concerns, the ASG assured the bench that the authorities have already initiated steps to control and regulate Dipke's activities and will continue to take all necessary legal actions to prevent disruption.
Court's Decision and Next Steps
The Delhi High Court has officially recorded the assurance provided by the ASG on behalf of the respondents. While the police have committed to maintaining law and order, the court has scheduled the matter for further consideration on November 3.
Additionally, the ASG raised the point that any restrictions or considerations regarding the CJP founder should also extend to his associates to ensure the effectiveness of the regulatory measures.