The Supreme Court has declined to grant an immediate interim stay on a proposed demonstration planned by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Central Park in New Delhi’s Connaught Place. Addressing a petition filed by local traders seeking to halt the gathering, the top court observed that it hopes citizens will act reasonably, emphasizing that commerce and trade sustain entire families. The bench scheduled the matter for a formal hearing on October 26 or 27, noting that necessary orders could be passed at that stage if warranted.
The petitioner had approached the apex court expressing serious concern over the livelihood of small shopkeepers and traders operating in the bustling commercial hub. Arguing that large-scale demonstrations in Central Park would severely disrupt retail and commercial activity, the plea urged the court to intervene immediately to avert economic losses for the local business community.
The controversy surrounds a call issued by CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke for a “Tiranga March” at Central Park, urging supporters to assemble in solidarity with arrested party leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das. Both Ranka and Das were detained on October 13 after scaling the boundary gate at Jantar Mantar while carrying the national flag to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Following their formal arrest the next day, a local magistrate remanded them to five days of judicial custody, prompting the party to launch the solidarity demonstration.
The Supreme Court’s refusal to grant immediate relief follows a similar stance taken by the Delhi High Court on October 15. The High Court had declined to pass an urgent restraining order after the Delhi Police assured the bench that all necessary measures would be taken to regulate crowd movement, prevent disorder, and ensure normal administrative control over the area, despite arguments from petitioners that Central Park is unsuitable for political protests.
In response to the demonstration call, the national capital has been placed under tight administrative vigil. Security agencies have mobilized over 6,000 Delhi Police personnel alongside 220 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) across the New Delhi district. Authorities are focusing on monitoring entry and exit points in Connaught Place to keep transit smooth for shoppers and commuters, backed by intensive CCTV surveillance.
Meanwhile, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) announced that Central Park will remain closed to the public on Friday and Saturday citing administrative reasons, while Delhi Police indicated that a small, selected group could be permitted to unfurl the national flag and sing the national anthem at an appropriate designated spot.
