The Supreme Court asserted that designated protest spaces must be shared across varied groups rather than occupied indefinitely by single movements. During hearings on demonstrations against the Chief Election Commissioner, the bench weighed complaints of mass detentions and transit shutdowns against trader reports that roughly 50 lakh residents were affected and local commerce had ceased. Before ruling on requests to halt festive-season protests, the court directed that anti-CEC demonstration organisers be officially impleaded as parties to the case. This follows the Centre's decision to de-notify Jantar Mantar and replace it with three alternative venues across the city.
Key points
Authorities are legally required to provide explicit written reasons whenever they grant…: Authorities are legally required to provide explicit written reasons whenever they grant or reject permission for public protests.
Notices were issued to the central government following a specific plea to stop demonstra…: Notices were issued to the central government following a specific plea to stop demonstrations during the upcoming festive season.
Protest sites have formally shifted away from Jantar Mantar to Ramlila Maidan, Burari Gro…: Protest sites have formally shifted away from Jantar Mantar to Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
A traders' counsel told the court that around 50 lakh people lived in areas surrounding the protest site and claimed that shops remained shut
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said no protest group can occupy a designated demonstration site indefinitely, observing that the right to protest must be balanced with the rights of other citizens. Hearing pleas filed by traders' associations over the impact of demonstrations in Delhi, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said designated protest venues must be made available to different groups for specific periods."You can't occupy a site for all times. Where farmers, journalists, etc. will go? Everyone has right to protest. Designated time must be given for designated period," CJI Surya Kant said, according to LiveLaw.The bench also said that orders granting permission for protests must clearly specify the reasons for allowing or refusing them. "You can't prevent other people, that I am doing protest now you can't," the CJI observed.The court was hearing pleas raising concerns over alleged police brutality, mass detentions, the closure of Metro stations and internet shutdowns during protests,…
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