The Supreme Court on Friday declined to pass an urgent restraining order against the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed ‘Tiranga’ march at Central Park in Connaught Place, while expressing hope that “better sense will prevail” amongst all parties involved.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi emphasised the necessity of balancing the constitutional right to protest with the livelihoods of small shopkeepers, street vendors, and daily-wage earners during the peak festive shopping season.
Supreme Court’s Observations on Livelihoods and Tort Liability
Hearing an urgent mentioning by advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai—representing a traders’ association claiming daily economic losses exceeding ₹250 crore due to ongoing disruptions—the top court warned that it would exercise its constitutional powers if unlawful actions caused disproportionate commercial harm.
”We hope better sense will prevail on everyone. Small shopkeepers, they earn their livelihood during these days. We know the hardship, difficulty and crises entire families face,” the CJI observed.
Justice Bagchi added: “If there is loss of business, if it is unlawful to your clients, we will exercise our powers under constitutional tort jurisdiction. Let’s cross that bridge when it comes.”
The bench formally directed that the matter be listed for further hearing on October 26 or 27, immediately following the Supreme Court’s Dussehra vacation.
Context of the Protest and Security Response
The legal proceedings unfold against the backdrop of extensive security mobilisations across central Delhi, where over 32,000 security personnel have been deployed. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke called for the Central Park gathering to protest the detention of party members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were remanded in judicial custody following a breach at the de-notified Jantar Mantar site amid ongoing agitations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
While the Delhi High Court earlier recorded police assurances to regulate the gathering and maintain law and order, the Supreme Court’s intervention underscores the economic stakes for local merchants in commercial hubs like Connaught Place during critical festive trading windows.