The Indian Youth Congress has challenged Jantar Mantar's removal as a designated protest venue. The case tests how authorities regulate constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and expression.
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Newdelhi,Oct 14, 2026 19:26 IST
The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Wednesday approached the Delhi High Court to challenge the removal of Jantar Mantar as a designated venue for protests and demonstrations.
The application was filed in a pending petition seeking permission to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision exercise. The IYC has also challenged the designation of Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi as alternative protest venues.
The application, filed through IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib, challenged Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar's standing order dated October 11. The order removed Jantar Mantar in central Delhi from the list of designated protest sites and named the three alternative venues.
Delhi Police said a detailed and revised standard operating procedure for protests at the new venues would be issued separately. Advocate Roopesh Singh Bhadauria filed the latest application after amending the existing petition.
During a hearing on October 12, Delhi Police told the high court that the decision to remove Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site had been taken following directions from the Supreme Court.
Delhi Police's counsel argued that the IYC's plea was no longer valid after Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground were named as the new protest sites. The high court, however, issued notice to the authorities on the request to reconsider the IYC's application. The organisation's counsel said the petition would be amended in view of the development.
A similar petition challenging restrictions on protests at Jantar Mantar and the designation of alternative sites for public demonstrations has also been filed in the Supreme Court.
On October 9, the Supreme Court asked the government to consider designating an alternative venue to Jantar Mantar for peaceful protests in the national capital. It emphasised the need for a site with basic amenities for demonstrators.
The court was hearing a plea challenging proposed restrictions at Metro stations and the cancellation of trains arriving in the national capital ahead of a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party against Kumar on October 10.
The IYC had approached the high court earlier this month to challenge Delhi Police's October 1 refusal to permit a protest at Jantar Mantar. Its petition raised questions about how police authorities can regulate the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Constitution while considering an application for a peaceful and democratic demonstration.
"The proposed demonstration arises out of concerns regarding transparency, accountability and functioning of constitutional institutions, and was proposed as a peaceful exercise of the petitioner's right to freedom of speech and expression and the right to assemble peacefully and without arms," the petition said.
The IYC had applied to Delhi Police on September 25 to hold a peaceful demonstration involving about 100 to 150 people from October 1 to October 25. It said it had agreed to comply with all lawful conditions relating to security, traffic, discipline and public order, but its request was rejected.
The IYC has now asked the Delhi High Court to examine the removal of Jantar Mantar as a protest venue and reconsider its request to demonstrate against the Chief Election Commissioner.
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