Delhi HC Questions Govt on Why Jantar Mantar Cannot Be Closed as Protest Venue

The Delhi High Court on Friday questioned the government on why it was not considering shutting down Jantar Mantar as a protest venue, asking why the city should be put to ransom unnecessarily during demonstrations.

Justice Amit Mahajan made the remarks while hearing a petition filed by the All India Dalit Christian Rights Protection Committee. The petitioner had moved the court seeking directions to the Delhi Police to decide its application for permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar.

During the hearing, Justice Mahajan observed that such events should not take place inside the city, while noting that deciding on the venue remains the government's call. Addressing Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, the judge asked why the government could not shut down the site altogether, stating that it should not be located inside Delhi.

In response, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma informed the high court that the Supreme Court is currently seized of the matter regarding whether Jantar Mantar can at all be designated as a protest site. The ASG also told the court that Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was in place in the area with Independence Day around the corner.

Counsel representing the petitioner submitted that the Supreme Court, in its Shaheen Bagh judgment, had affirmed the right to peaceful protest. Justice Mahajan acknowledged the right to protest but reiterated that the city should not be put to ransom.