Newdelhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought the Centre's stand on petitions filed by traders, vendors and lawyers seeking regulation of protests in the national capital in line with the governing standard operating procedures.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma asked counsel for the central government and other authorities to seek instructions before the matter is taken up on Friday. The bench also asked the petitioners to place on record a copy of the protest-related petitions pending in the Supreme Court, noting that the judiciary wants to avoid overlapping with matters already sub judice.
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma informed the court that the related petitions pending before the apex court had been adjourned to October 15. The current legal challenge arises against the backdrop of large-scale demonstrations in Central Delhi staged by various opposition parties, student groups, and civil society members regarding the functioning of the Election Commission.
Legal representatives for the petitioners argued that established Supreme Court directives concerning protest management must be strictly enforced. Senior counsel Sanjay Poddar, representing local traders, pointed out that the period from October through February represents the peak business season, and ongoing demonstrations have severely impacted commerce.
Senior counsel Sacchin Puri, appearing for petitioner Rishabh Saxena, emphasized that massive gatherings in Central Delhi had brought local activity to a halt. The bench had earlier taken up the case on an urgent basis following a request from Puri, who noted that heavy barricading and disruptions have made key commercial zones like Connaught Place nearly unapproachable, resulting in substantial financial losses for local businesses.