Delhi HC Declines Urgent Hearing on Youth Congress Plea Over Jantar Mantar Protest Permission

The petition, filed by IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib, was mentioned before Acting Chief Justice Nitin Vasudeo Sambre by senior advocate Sanjay Ghosh, who sought an urgent hearing.

Questioning the need for immediate consideration, the Acting Chief Justice said, “What is the urgency? We will hear it on Monday,” declining to list the matter for Friday.

The plea challenges the police decision to deny permission for a peaceful demonstration against the CEC. According to the petition, the organisation had applied on September 25 to hold a protest involving around 100–150 people.

The petition further stated that despite repeated follow-ups, the rejection was communicated only on October 1, the date originally proposed for the demonstration.

The proposed protest comes amid demonstrations by Opposition INDIA bloc leaders demanding action against Gyanesh Kumar over the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

On Thursday, Congress leader Udit Raj backed the protests, saying the Opposition had a responsibility to protect democracy.

Opposition leaders, led by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, have been demonstrating against the CEC. Earlier this week, Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Opposition leaders were released after being detained by Delhi Police during a protest march towards the Election Commission of India’s office.

Security has been tightened around Jantar Mantar, with police personnel deployed and barricades erected near the Election Commission office. Restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita have also been imposed in and around the area.

Separately, the Delhi government has ordered liquor outlets operating under specified licences to remain closed for two days from Friday as a preventive measure ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party protest.