Delhi Police cite Supreme Court orders in Jantar Mantar protest site ban

Delhi Police informed the High Court that the decision to remove Jantar Mantar's status as an authorized protest site was undertaken in compliance with orders from the Supreme Court. The denotification has effectively restricted activists and citizens from staging demonstrations at the prominent New Delhi landmark, which has historically served as a focal point for civil society protests.

A plea seeking reconsideration of the police's denial of protest permissions at the venue was filed before the High Court, which subsequently issued a notice on the application. The matter will now be taken up for hearing on November 17, when the court is expected to examine both the police's justification and the petitioner's arguments against the denotification.

Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century astronomical observation structure in central Delhi, has long been recognized as a designated space for public protests and demonstrations. The removal of this designation marks a significant shift in the city's protest landscape, raising questions about the available venues for citizens seeking to exercise their right to peaceful assembly.

The case will test the High Court's interpretation of citizens' rights to protest and the extent to which executive decisions to restrict protest sites can be justified by invoking higher court orders. Legal experts are watching the proceedings closely as a potential indicator of how courts will balance security concerns with constitutional protections for dissent.