Overview
- A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant told petitioners on Tuesday that designated public protest venues must have time limits and cannot be occupied forever so other groups can use the same spaces.
- The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre, the Delhi government and Delhi Police and gave a short deadline for written responses to traders' claims of heavy business losses from prolonged demonstrations.
- The bench directed traders to implead protest organisers and opposition INDIA bloc parties so the court can hear competing claims and decide on remedies or compensation.
- The court ordered the petitions to be split into categories and set separate hearings for allegations of police excesses, mass detentions, metro and internet restrictions, surveillance including facial recognition, and harassment of journalists.
- Administratively, Delhi had already denotified Jantar Mantar and named Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as alternative sites, and the court signaled it may require clearer rules on site designation, permitted duration and coordination to protect both peaceful dissent and livelihoods.