The Delhi Police has assured the Delhi High Court that it will take "all possible measures" as per law to control and regulate the protest called by Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke at Central Park in Connaught Place on October 16.

The assurance was given by Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma before a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma while hearing a petition filed by street vendors operating at Palika Bazar, who have expressed apprehension that the proposed demonstration could severely affect their businesses and livelihoods.

Recording the assurance, the High Court noted that the respondents had already taken sufficient steps to control and regulate the activities of CJP and that further measures would be taken, if required, in accordance with law.

"The ASG, appearing for the respondents, assures that the apprehension of the petitioner shall be taken care of, as the respondents have taken enough steps in the matter to control and regulate the activity of Respondent Number 6 (CJP/its founder Abhijeet Dipke) And all possible measures under the law will be taken. The assurance is taken on record" the Court recorded.

The petitioners, represented by Senior Advocate Sacchin Puri, had urged the Court to intervene against the proposed protest, arguing that Connaught Place was not a designated protest site and that the demonstration was scheduled during the festive period.

During the morning mentioning, Puri told the Court that the proposed protest could lead to another shutdown of Connaught Place, affecting people dependent on businesses in the area.

"A protest has been called at Central Park. We have filed a petition, My Lords. It seems that we are now being targeted, My Lords, because they are going to shut down CP completely again. Again, this is the second weekend, My Lords. We are going to be completely out of work during this weekend" he submitted.

He further claimed that the shutdown had already begun and that barricading had started in the area.

"The protest will start tomorrow morning. The shutdown has already started, and the barricading has already begun. It will completely finish us if this is not stopped, My Lords. This protest has to be stopped" Puri told the bench.

Responding to the submissions during the morning hearing, the bench observed that the Supreme Court was already dealing with issues concerning the ongoing protests.

"The Supreme Court is taking care of you" the Court told the counsel.

The bench then asked Puri to return at 2:30 pm with copies of the relevant Supreme Court orders. No immediate order restraining the proposed demonstration was passed during the morning hearing.

The matter was subsequently taken up, during which the ASG gave the assurance regarding measures to regulate the proposed protest. The Court recorded the assurance.

Background

The petition has been filed by street vendors who have been operating at Palika Bazar in Connaught Place for years. They apprehend that the proposed demonstration at Central Park, scheduled for Friday, October 16, could disrupt commercial activity and affect their earnings.

The protest call comes amid CJP's opposition to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and its claims concerning the detention of party members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.

Das and Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody on Wednesday in connection with proceedings arising from allegations concerning their entry into Jantar Mantar and the alleged violation of peace bonds. Jantar Mantar has been denotified as a designated protest site.