Delhi Police Cite Short Notice, Law-and-Order Concerns to Deny Jantar Mantar Protest

The Delhi Police have denied permission for a protest planned by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar on October 10, citing short notice, non-compliance with directions during an earlier demonstration and prevailing law-and-order concerns.

The police have also proposed closing the entry and exit points of 57 metro stations from 9 p.m. on Friday until Saturday. The proposal has been sent to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), and confirmation is awaited.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi Range) Nupur Prasad said the police had received an application from Sourav Das, co-convenor of the CJP, for a demonstration seeking accountability from the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

Prasad said the application had been submitted at short notice, whereas the prescribed guidelines require organisers to notify the authorities at least 10 days before a planned protest.

She added that the CJP had previously been granted permission to demonstrate at Jantar Mantar but had failed to comply with lawful directions and undertakings given by the organisers.

“Therefore, due to the failure to follow the legal directions and their own undertakings, and considering the prevailing law-and-order situation, public safety and traffic regulation, permission has been rejected this time,” she said.

Prasad also said Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was in force in the New Delhi area, imposing preventive restrictions to maintain public order and safety. She warned that legal action would be taken against anyone found violating the provisions.

The proposed metro restrictions cover stations including Janpath, Patel Chowk, Supreme Court, ITO, Delhi Gate, Kashmere Gate, Rohini West, Welcome, Shalimar Bagh, Adarsh Nagar and Hauz Khas.

Police officials clarified that the proposal relates to closing station entry and exit points, while interchange facilities may remain available to commuters.

The measures are intended to regulate public movement, maintain law and order and minimise traffic disruptions in the national capital around the proposed demonstration.