The Delhi High Court has agreed to hear on Tuesday a plea against the closure of Jantar Mantar for protests, a plea alleging that outsiders entered the protest site on October 10 and 11, and an NSUI plea seeking an SIT probe into alleged violence against protesters. The contentions are untested and the Court has expressed no view on the merits.
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New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday allowed three pleas arising from the protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to be listed for hearing on Tuesday, October 13: a plea challenging the closure of Jantar Mantar for peaceful protests, a plea alleging that outsiders entered the protest site during the October 10 and 11 protests and harassed people with lathis, and a plea by the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) seeking a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into alleged violence against protesters on October 10. [Plea Against Closure Of Jantar Mantar For Protests]
A Bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Nitin Sambre allowed the listing after counsel mentioned the matters. The composition of the rest of the Bench was not reported.
Plea On Jantar Mantar Closure
Counsel submitted that the matter concerns curtailment of the right to free speech, as Jantar Mantar has been closed and no other place is available for lawful protests. Counsel also submitted that no alternative protest site has been earmarked.
The Acting Chief Justice pointed out that the Supreme Court is also seized of the issue.
Please try to understand. The Supreme Court is equally seized of the matter. The Supreme Court has called upon the Union to file an affidavit also.
Once the Supreme Court is looking into it, to what extent we can look into it… Let’s wait. We will have it tomorrow.
Plea Alleging Entry Of Outsiders
Counsel also mentioned a plea alleging that outsiders entered the protest site during the October 10 and 11 protests and harassed people with lathis. These are allegations made in the plea and have not been tested. The Court said this petition will also be heard on Tuesday.
NSUI Seeks SIT Probe
The Court will also hear on Tuesday the NSUI’s plea seeking an SIT probe into alleged violence against protesters who were opposing CEC Gyanesh Kumar on October 10. The Acting Chief Justice allowed the listing after counsel mentioned the matter. The allegations of violence are those of the petitioner and are untested.
Where Matters Stand
No direction has been issued on any of the three pleas. The Court has heard neither side on the merits, no view has been expressed, and the contentions of the petitioners and of the authorities are untested.
Case Details: Pleas on closure of Jantar Mantar for protests, alleged entry of outsiders at the protest site, and NSUI’s plea for an SIT probe | Court: Delhi High Court | Bench: Acting Chief Justice Nitin Sambre (other member not reported) | Mentioned: October 12, 2026 | Next date: October 13, 2026 | Status: Mentioned and listed for hearing; no order on the merits. Case numbers and petitioner details, other than NSUI, not reported.
Appearances: Names of counsel not reported.