New Delhi: A street vendor has approached the Delhi High Court seeking to stop the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)’s protest planned for October 16th in Central Park, Connaught Place, Delhi. The petitioner expressed fears that the protest could disrupt normal life and cause financial losses to shopkeepers and businesses in the area.
The Delhi High Court agreed to hear the petition on Thursday. Senior advocate Sachin Puri mentioned the matter before Acting Chief Justice Nitin W. Sambre, seeking immediate interim intervention to stop the proposed protest.
Traffic and business disruptions expected during Dussehra weekend
Senior advocate Sachin Puri informed the court that a protest is planned for October 16th in Central Park, Connaught Place. He argued that it could cause heavy traffic congestion and disrupt business activities in the area. The protest is scheduled to take place during the Dussehra weekend.
The petitioner argued that the protest could lead to a complete shutdown of the entire Connaught Place area. This could disrupt public movement and cause financial losses to shopkeepers and other businesses.
After hearing arguments, the High Court noted that related matters are already pending in the Supreme Court. The court directed the senior advocate to appear before it at 2:30 pm on Thursday with a briefing on the relevant proceedings and copies of the Supreme Court orders.
Petition filed by street vendor from Palika Bazaar
The petition was filed by Anil Kumar Gupta, a street vendor from Palika Bazaar in Connaught Place. He sought a direction from the court to the Central People’s Democratic Party (CJP) to prevent any agitation, demonstration, march, or gathering in Central Park or any other location not designated as a protest site.
The petition also sought a comprehensive ban on such demonstrations in central Delhi, particularly Connaught Place, to prevent disruption of public life and commercial activities.
CJP calls for ‘Hoist the Tricolour’ protest
The proposed protest was called by CJP founder Abhijit Dipke. On Wednesday, he released a video message on the social media platform X, urging people to gather at Central Park at 5 pm on Friday and hoist the tricolour.
Dipke named the protest “Hoist the Tricolour” and urged people to join in protest against the arrest of party co-convenors Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. In his message, he stated that waving the national flag is not a crime.
Two CJP leaders sent to five-day judicial custody in Jantar Mantar case
Sourav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody on Wednesday in a case related to alleged encroachment at Jantar Mantar. Meanwhile, another CJP leader, Ajinkya Shinde, was released on personal bond.
The three leaders were taken into preventive custody after they were accused of allegedly operating outside the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar. Jantar Mantar has been removed from the list of designated protest sites.
A case has been registered against these leaders for alleged trespassing, violating bond conditions, and obstructing government employees from performing their duties.