Delhi HC to Hear Plea Against CJP Protest at Connaught Place
A Palika Bazar vendor moves Delhi High Court to stop the CJP protest at Connaught Place, citing loss of livelihood and traffic disruptions.
A street vendor has approached the Delhi High Court seeking urgent intervention to stop a proposed protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Central Park, Connaught Place. The petitioner argues that such large-scale gatherings and the resulting traffic restrictions directly threaten the livelihoods of small traders and daily-wage earners in the area.
Livelihood at Stake: The Vendor's Plea
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL), filed by Anil Kumar Gupta, a licensed street vendor at Palika Bazar with nearly three decades of experience, highlights the economic toll of prolonged demonstrations. The petition specifically targets the gathering announced for 5 pm on October 16 at Central Park, a location situated directly above the bustling underground market.
Senior Advocate Sacchin Puri, representing the petitioner, emphasized the urgency of the matter before the court, stating, “This protest has to be stopped.”
Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre has scheduled a further hearing for the matter, following the Supreme Court's deliberations on related protest issues.
Disruption of Trade and Traffic Chaos
The petitioner contends that frequent protests and subsequent road blockades in central Delhi have repeatedly severed access to vital markets. This disruption prevents customers from visiting key commercial hubs like Connaught Place and Palika Bazar, leading to significant daily losses for small-scale traders.
The plea highlights several instances of significant disruption, including:
- The 36-day wrestlers’ protest in 2023.
- A 36-day sit-in regarding examination reforms in 2026.
- Demonstrations concerning electoral rolls.
- A major agitation around July 20, 2026, which brought roads around Jantar Mantar and Parliament Street to a standstill.
Legal Arguments and Designated Venues
The petition argues that the proposed CJP gathering, organized under the banner “Lehra Do Tiranga” by founder Abhijeet Dipke, does not comply with existing regulations. The petitioner points out that Central Park is not among the venues designated for protests under the recent Delhi Police order.
The plea cites critical Supreme Court precedents, including Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan v. Union of India (2018) and Amit Sahni v. Commissioner of Police (2020), to argue that the right to protest must be exercised at designated locations and in a manner that does not indefinitely obstruct public roads.
While the Delhi Police recently de-notified Jantar Mantar as a protest site—naming Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in East Delhi as new venues—the petitioner argues that de-notification alone is insufficient. The plea seeks a comprehensive traffic and pedestrian access plan for Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street, and Connaught Place to ensure that commercial activity and public movement are not paralyzed by unauthorized demonstrations.