IYC Moves Delhi HC Over Protest Ban Against CEC
Indian Youth Congress challenges Delhi Police for denying protest permission against CEC Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar.
The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) has taken its battle against the Delhi Police to the courtroom. National President Uday Bhanu Chib has approached the Delhi High Court, challenging the authorities' decision to deny permission for a planned peaceful demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The Dispute at Jantar Mantar
The legal battle stems from a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar, intended to voice grievances against the CEC. According to the petition, the IYC had formally applied for permission on September 25, seeking to gather a modest group of approximately 100 to 150 participants for a peaceful assembly.
The organization maintains that it was fully prepared to adhere to all legal mandates, including strict protocols for:
- Security arrangements
- Traffic management
- Maintaining public discipline
- Ensuring public order
Allegations of Delayed Rejection
A significant point of contention in the plea is the timing of the police response. The IYC claims that despite consistent follow-ups regarding their application, the Delhi Police only communicated the rejection on October 1, 2026. Crucially, this rejection arrived on the very day the organization had initially proposed to hold the demonstration.
Uday Bhanu Chib has argued in the petition that the police's authority to regulate assemblies should not be used as a tool to outright prohibit them. He contended that any restriction must be based on a proportionate and individualized assessment of the specific circumstances, rather than a blanket denial.
Constitutional Rights at Stake
The petition, filed through advocate Roopesh Singh Bhadauria, invokes several fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India, specifically:
- Article 14: The right to equality.
- Article 19(1)(a): The right to freedom of speech and expression.
- Article 19(1)(b): The right to assemble peaceably and without arms.
The IYC argues that the police's decision was a "mechanical application" of guidelines, failing to respect the jurisprudence established by the Supreme Court regarding the sanctity of peaceful assembly. The plea asserts that any limitations placed on these democratic rights must be both lawful and strictly proportionate to the perceived threat.
The Delhi High Court is expected to hear the matter next week.