Traders Allege Loss Due To Delhi Protests; Supreme Court Says Make Organisers Party To Plea
Trading associations in Delhi, have moves Supreme Court alleging loss of business as shops remained closed due to Delhi Protests.
Supreme Court has urged traders' association to make the organisers of the protests a party respondent in their petitions.
The Supreme Court today issued notice in a petition moved by Kirana Committee Delhi alleging loss of business due to the Delhi Protests concerning the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for the traders association told a CJI Surya Kant led bench, "I represent all the trading associations in Delhi, all shops remain closed, there is nobody in Connaught Place, our sales are down, this is festive season. They have to look at some out of the box solutions."
At this juncture, the bench inquired if the organisers of the protests had been made party to the plea. Justice Bagchi asked, "Have you made the organisers of the protests a party respondent in your petitions? These are competing rights, the rights of trade and the right to free expression."
Adding to this CJI Kant told Rohatgi: "You make all the organizations as party respondents."
The bench added that it was concerned about the rights of livelihood of rediwalas, and other small business owners, who rely on sales during festive season.
Last month, Court had assured traders before it of compensation in case any loss of business is caused to them on account of restrictions imposed in Connaught Place, New Delhi ahead of the protests announced by Cockroach Janta Party. The said protests were announced to express solidarity with its arrested leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been remanded to five days of judicial custody for allegedly trespassing at Jantar Mantar by crossing police barricades and entering the area after it was denotified as a protest site.
The said plea filed has been filed in relation to New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC)'s decision to close the Central Park in Connaught Place for two days ahead of the protests. Kirana Traders petition was mentioned before CJI Surya Kant today by Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai. "There is a grave urgency. Festive season is coming up and Karwa Chauth, Dussehra, Diwali," Dehadrai had told the bench.
Agreeing with the submission the CJI observed that small hawkers and businesses should not suffer. "We hope that better sense will prevail and these shopkeepers won't suffer," CJI said.
Today, the court also heard a batch of petitions concerning alleged detentions, arbitrary closure of metro stations, internet shutdown, denotification of Jantar Mantar as protest site and other issues relating to the protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told court that affidavits were ready in response to the issues and would be filed.
Case Title: KIRANA COMMITTEE DELHI Vs UNION OF INDIA
Bench: CJI Kant, Justice Bagchi and Justice Mohana
Hearing Date: November 3, 2026