Overview
- A PIL filed by Satish Chand Kaushik asks the court to identify another protest venue because demonstrations at Jantar Mantar allegedly block access, disrupt supplies and strain emergency care.
- A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued notices to the Centre, the Delhi government, the Delhi Police and the NDMC and asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to obtain official instructions.
- The court ordered the matter to be listed separately for further hearing after receiving responses and said it would not pre-judge any planned marches, telling authorities to manage law and order and to approach the court if they fail.
- Petition documents and hearings highlight specific problems at Jantar Mantar, including limited entry and exit points, inadequate washrooms, scarce drinking water, poor sewage arrangements and limited on-site medical support.
- Jantar Mantar has hosted major national protests for decades, and the court’s decision could change where demonstrations are held, affect residents’ daily access in central Delhi and prompt new rules on how authorities regulate large gatherings.