Delhi High Court To Hear IYC Plea Against Denial Of Permission To Protest Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar Tomorrow

The Delhi High Court on Monday deferred to Tuesday the hearing of a petition filed by the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) challenging the Delhi Police’s decision to deny permission for proposed protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the petitioner via video conferencing, requested that the matter be taken up at 2:30 pm. Senior Advocate Vivek Tankha, who was present in court, also pressed for a hearing today itself, submitting that the matter was of public importance.

Luthra insisted that the plea be taken up at the end of today’s board.

However, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, appearing for the respondents, requested that the matter be listed for Tuesday. Court accepted the request and posted the matter for hearing tomorrow.

The matter is before Justice Amit Mahajan.

The proposed protest seeks to demand Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The allegations form part of a wider political dispute over the revision exercise and its implications for voters’ names on electoral rolls.

Why Was Permission Denied?

IYC had sought permission to hold a peaceful demonstration involving approximately 100 to 150 people between October 1 and October 25.

On October 1, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) rejected the request, citing law-and-order concerns in the New Delhi district and traffic considerations.

The police communication reportedly also referred to guidelines restricting dharnas or demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and the Central Vista area to one continuous day. It cited intelligence inputs about possible mass gatherings and the potential impact on security and traffic management.

What Has IYC Argued?

IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib has challenged the rejection, arguing that the police cannot use their power to regulate peaceful assemblies to effectively prohibit them.

The petition contends that the decision was taken without an individualised and proportionate assessment of the proposed gathering. It invokes Articles 14, 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Constitution, concerning equality before the law, freedom of speech and expression, and the right to assemble peacefully without arms.

The organisation has also stated that it is willing to comply with lawful conditions relating to security, traffic management, discipline and public order.

Previous Proceedings

The high court had declined to grant an urgent hearing on the plea on October 9, listing it for October 12. The matter was subsequently taken up on Monday, when the lawyers sought an early hearing but the court directed that it be heard on Tuesday.

Case Title: Uday Bhanu Chib vs UOI and Others

Hearing Date: October 12, 2026

Bench: Justice Amit Mahajan