SC on CJP Protest: Move to Balance Right to Protest and Law and Order Amid Delhi Police Curbs

The Supreme Court has taken up petitions challenging excessive restrictions imposed by authorities ahead of the planned October 10 protest by the CJP at Jantar Mantar against the Chief Election Commissioner. A battery of senior lawyers approached the court flagging detentions, cancellation of trains, metro station closures, and advisories to hotels and residential welfare associations restricting movement. The bench questioned whether permission for the gathering had been secured and underlined the responsibility of the state and police to maintain law and order, while asking how many participants were expected. In response, counsel argued that the state cannot enforce over-broad general orders that infringe upon the fundamental rights to move freely and assemble peacefully in designated protest sites. The court asked the petitioners to place the relevant administrative orders denying permission on record and scheduled the matter for further consideration to determine how to balance the right to protest with the rights of the wider citizenry.