Delhi Police told the Delhi High Court that Jantar Mantar is no longer a notified protest site, yet the Youth Congress plea has survived in part, with notice issued on three prayers.
New Delhi: Issuing notice on part of a plea by Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib against Delhi Police’s refusal to permit a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday heard Delhi Police say that Jantar Mantar had been de-notified as a protest site following the Supreme Court’s order of October 9 [Uday Bhanu Chib v. Delhi Police].
Justice Amit Mahajan heard the matter. The High Court case number was not available at the time of reporting.
Notice on three prayers
After a brief hearing, the Court issued notice on three of the petitioner’s prayers. These include a declaration that Delhi Police cannot rely on its 2022 standing order to mechanically or disproportionately prohibit peaceful assemblies without an individual assessment and consideration of less restrictive measures, and a challenge to the ten-day advance notice requirement for protests, which the petitioner says should not be an absolute bar to applications made at shorter notice. The next date of hearing was not reported.
Delhi Police: the challenge is infructuous
Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, for Delhi Police, submitted that Jantar Mantar was de-notified pursuant to the Supreme Court’s October 9 order, which arose from petitions about Delhi Metro station closures and train cancellations linked to a protest. He said the police had identified three alternative sites, in line with the requirement in that order that appropriate sites need to be identified and designated. On that footing he argued that the plea had become infructuous and opposed notice on the remaining prayers.
The Supreme Court’s order and the petitioner’s reply
As cited in the High Court, the Supreme Court’s order said it was high time basic amenities were provided to those engaged in peaceful protest, and asked the competent authority to consider identifying suitable alternative sites.
Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, for the petitioner, argued that the other prayers in the plea remained maintainable and sought notice on them.
Counsel also told the Court that the petitioner would amend the prayers in light of the de-notification.
From a venue to the rules
With Jantar Mantar no longer the designated protest site, the dispute has moved from one venue to the rules that govern protests in Delhi: the standing order, the advance notice period and the need for a reasoned, individual assessment before permission is refused. The Court has issued notice only and has expressed no view on the merits, and Delhi Police has not yet filed its response on these prayers.
Case Title: Uday Bhanu Chib v. Delhi Police [case number not reported]
Bench: Justice Amit Mahajan, Delhi High Court
Date of Order: October 13, 2026
Appearances: Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra and Advocate Roopesh Singh Bhadauria for the petitioner; Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma with Advocates Ashish K Dixit and Amit Tiwari for Delhi Police and other respondents