New Delhi
oi-Swastika Sruti
The Delhi Police has made a request to the general public not to participate in the CJP-led protest at Central Park, Connaught Place, on October 16. It said it was willing to facilitate 11 individuals to raise the national flag and sing the national anthem at an appropriate place in Central Park, while requesting other citizens not to attend the event.
Delhi Police requested the public avoid the CJP protest at Central Park, Connaught Place, on October 16, citing Section 163 BNSS restrictions and security, while the Delhi High Court permitted the demonstration, accepting police assurances for law and order.
This news was reported on October 15, when the Delhi High Court refused to halt the proposed protest over electoral malpractice. The court noted the promise by the police to make all possible legal efforts to control the protest rally and ensure law and order.
Founder of the CJP, Abhijeet Dipke, has called for a gathering at Central Park at 5 pm on Friday with the national flag. The CJP is agitating for taking action against electoral malpractice.
Section 163 Restrictions In Force In Connaught Place
In their statement, the Delhi Police said prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) are applicable in the area of Connaught Place and around it. They have also said that any breach of such orders would invite strict legal action against such persons.
According to the police, due to security considerations and maintaining law and order situations in the city, people are requested not to assemble in the proposed area of protest, and the call was made in this regard by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Neha Yadav, the NDMC has conveyed to the police that Central Park shall be closed on 16th and 17th of October on account of administrative reasons. According to her, the NDMC has also requested the police not to allow any gathering in the area of the park.
Traders and markets associations in Connaught Place have also approached the police complaining about assemblies in violation of laws, which could affect their trade, especially during festive occasions.
Delhi High Court Refuses To Stop CJP Protest
The issue reached the Delhi High Court after a vendor approached it over concerns about the planned gathering and its possible impact on business in Connaught Place.
A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma declined to restrain the CJP from holding its proposed protest. However, it recorded the Delhi Police’s assurance that all necessary measures would be taken under the law to regulate the gathering and maintain peace.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer argued that repeated disruptions and closures could affect traders during an important festive period. The authorities, represented by Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, told the court that steps had already been initiated to regulate the protest.
Following the hearing, the police said its proposed arrangement for a group of 11 people was intended to facilitate the carrying of the national flag and singing of the national anthem at a suitable place, while preventing an unauthorised gathering.
Abhijeet Dipke Questions Restrictions On Protest
Reacting to the restrictions, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke questioned whether the authorities could prevent demonstrations simply by restricting access to a particular location.
In a post on X on Thursday evening, he asked whether the government would shut down 100 locations if the party announced protests at all of them.
At a press conference, Dipke also criticised the police action against protesters and alleged that the crackdown was linked to the party’s demand for accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. These were allegations made by Dipke and were not established findings of the court.
The October 16 call follows the detention of hundreds of people who attempted to reach Jantar Mantar for a CJP protest on October 10 over alleged electoral fraud. The party’s demonstrations have continued amid wider Opposition protests over the revision of electoral rolls.
CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were also reported to be in jail on trespass charges following an incident involving the national flag at Jantar Mantar.
