Delhi HC clears CJP protest at Connaught Place, but Central Park closure clouds Friday rally

The court took on record the Delhi Police's assurance that it would take "all possible measures under the law" to regulate and control the gathering.

However, uncertainty surrounded the proposed demonstration after the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) announced later in the evening that Central Park would remain closed to the general public on October 16 and 17 due to "administrative reasons".

It was not immediately clear whether the closure would also prevent CJP protesters from entering the premises.

The development comes amid escalating protests over alleged electoral irregularities and the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Delhi HC hears plea by street vendor

A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma was hearing a petition filed by a licensed street vendor who sought restrictions on the proposed gathering.

The petitioner argued that the protest could adversely affect traders and vendors in Connaught Place, particularly during the festive season. He sought directions to the police to regulate the demonstration in accordance with the law laid down by the Supreme Court.

Arguing against the protest, the petitioner's lawyer said businesses could suffer if central Delhi faced another weekend of disruption.

"In the heart of Connaught Place Central Park, a protest is called. It seems we are being targeted. This is not a site (for protest)," the lawyer argued, adding that the rally coincided with the Dussehra weekend.

Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma appeared for the authorities and informed the court that steps had already been taken to regulate the gathering.

The High Court ultimately declined to issue an order restraining the protest, relying on the police's assurance regarding crowd management and enforcement of the law.

CJP protest follows detentions over October 10 rally

The planned demonstration comes days after police detained hundreds of people who attempted to reach the Jantar Mantar road area near Connaught Place for a CJP protest scheduled for October 10.

The party has accused the authorities of cracking down on demonstrators protesting alleged electoral fraud and demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

At a press conference in Delhi on Thursday, Dipke alleged that protesters had been dragged off the streets over the past fortnight.

He also claimed that Opposition leaders who joined the demonstrations had been detained.

Dipke accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of protecting the Chief Election Commissioner, alleging that the action against protesters was linked to their demands for accountability over the electoral process.

"For the past 10-15 days, students' organisations and the youth of Delhi have been out on the streets, being dragged away," Dipke said, alleging that Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Pinarayi Vijayan, had also faced detention.

These allegations were made by Dipke at the press conference.

AAP to join CJP demonstration

The proposed CJP rally is also drawing wider political attention, with the Congress-led INDIA bloc holding parallel demonstrations over the electoral roll revision controversy.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has largely stayed away from INDIA bloc activities, has announced that it will participate in the CJP's protest. Dipke has urged demonstrators to carry the national flag.

Meanwhile, permission has reportedly been granted for a parallel protest at Mumbai's Azad Maidan.

The growing convergence between youth-led demonstrations and Opposition protests has added a new dimension to the political confrontation over the SIR exercise.

CJP members in jail, journalist assault allegations surface

Dipke also said that CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were in jail after allegedly raising a flag at Jantar Mantar earlier this week.

They have been charged with trespass, as the site had been denotified as a protest venue following the party's original October 10 call.

Separately, All India Students' Association (AISA) activist Neha Bora alleged that journalists covering the demonstrations had been beaten, dragged away and detained for hours despite carrying press identification cards.

She also claimed that cameras had been snatched from journalists.

The allegations have added to concerns surrounding the handling of the protests. The claims could not be independently verified from the information available.

Supreme Court issues notice in SIR case

The developments in Delhi came as the Supreme Court issued notices to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the two Election Commissioners on petitions filed by Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders challenging decisions related to the SIR of electoral rolls.

The top court also issued notices to Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and others in a separate petition challenging the INDIA bloc's October 12 march from Barakhamba Road to the court premises.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, referring to the march, observed: "Nobody can browbeat the judiciary."

The Supreme Court also directed that CCTV footage from the court premises covering the protest be preserved.

With the CJP's proposed demonstration scheduled for Friday and Central Park's announced closure adding uncertainty, the focus remains on how the Delhi authorities will manage the gathering amid intensifying political tensions over electoral roll revisions.