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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the response of the Centre, Delhi Police, and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on a plea seeking permission for holding a public meeting (All India Muslim Mahapanchayat) of around 10,000 people at Ramlila Ground on December 4.

The bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad was informed by Delhi Police that it has received an application from another organisation also for organizing a program at the Ramlila ground from December 3 to 5, 2023, and no objection certificate (NOC) has already been issued for it.

To this, the court asked the police to place before it the relevant records, including a copy of the application of the other organization and when it was received. Accordingly, the court listed the matter for further hearing on November 24.

During the hearing, the Delhi Police submitted that the application regarding the NOC to organize the event on December 4 had been considered, but the request could not be acceded to. He stated that the Central district has received an application on November 8 from Mahatyagi Sewa Sansthan for organising a programme at Ramlila ground from December 3 to December 5.

The counsel submitted that NOC has already been granted to Mahatyagi Sewa Sansthan for December 4, so it is not feasible to entertain another application for the same date.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Mission Save Constitution, which claims to be working to create awareness among the masses about their constitutional rights.

The petitioner said that it is aggrieved by the pendency of a decision by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central District, on its application seeking a NOC for organizing the All India Muslim Mahapanchayat on December 4 at the Ramlila ground.

The plea stated the petitioner seeks to initiate a series of events for strengthening all weaker sections, beginning with minority communities, followed by other communities like SC, ST, and OBC, and in the meetings/panchayat voice of all the oppressed would be raised.

The plea further stated that the organization, whose national convenor is Advocate Mehmood Pracha, works to enlighten and create awareness among the masses, especially the depressed classes, about their rights as enshrined in the Constitution of India and for utilizing the constitutional and legal provisions for alleviation of the distress and suffering of such classes.

''The Horticulture Department of the MCD redirected the petitioner to the Delhi Police for NOC, and the petitioner then submitted a request on November 13 after the conclusion of Diwali festivities", the plea stated. 

Notably, the petitioner organization had earlier called for a mass meeting on October 29, and initially, permission was granted, but later it was revoked. The petitioner consequently rescheduled their event for December 4 and applied for permission to book Ramlila Ground on November 10.

Case Title: Mission Save Constitution v. Union of India & Ors.