‘We will act if…’: SC warns of crackdown as Connaught Place traders claim daily losses of ₹250 crore from CJP protests | Today’s news
The Supreme Court on Friday warned that it may intervene if frequent protests and security restrictions around Connaught Place affect businesses. The comment comes after traders claimed to have suffered losses ₹250 crore per day due to protests.
A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a matter regarding the New Delhi Municipal Council’s (NDMC) decision to close Central Park at Connaught Place for two days ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest.
Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, representing the traders, told the court, “We are for the Kirana committee. ₹250 crore per day to protest etc. Connaught Place…And NDMC released a notification last night. There is serious urgency.”
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The court said it could use its constitutional powers if the restrictions unlawfully affected businesses. She also acknowledged the hardships faced by petty traders, vendors and stall owners.
A representative of the traders told the Supreme Court that businesses were losing more than ₹250 crore a day due to the protests and related restrictions.
The NDMC announced that Central Park will be closed to the public on October 16 and 17 for “administrative reasons” ahead of the CJP’s protest.
No. CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke argued that peaceful demonstrations do not harm businesses, while government-imposed restrictions, internet shutdowns and restrictions on movement can disrupt economic activity.
The court noted that there is a need to balance the right to protest, the livelihood of traders and the maintenance of law and order.
He further argued that the restrictions imposed by the civic body were unreasonable and could hurt businesses during the upcoming festive season.
“It is very urgent as Karva Chauth, Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath are coming,” he said, urging the court to list the matter.
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The Supreme Court identified the difficulties of traders
CJI Surya Kant acknowledged the difficulties faced by small traders, shopkeepers and stall owners who depend on the business for their livelihood.
“Some steps may be needed. Some directions. We know that all the petty vendors, hawkers and stall owners are earning a living these days. And we know the hardships, difficulties and crisis their entire families are facing,” the Chief Justice said.
Meanwhile, Justice Bagchi noted the competing concerns involved in the matter, including the right to protest, the livelihood of traders and the need to maintain law and order.
“This is different. Someone wants to protest, someone wants to sell moongfali (groundnuts), someone wants to maintain law and order. They are all there before us,” the judge said.
Justice Bagchi said the court could exercise its constitutional powers if the restrictions unlawfully affected businesses.
“If there is a lot of trading and it becomes illegal for your clients, we will exercise our powers under constitutional law,” he said.
When Dehadrai reiterated his contentions, the Bench emphasized that it had jurisdiction to act under public law and principles of compensation.
“We have told you that this court has wide jurisdiction in the area of torts and public law. We will act,” the court said.
What did the CJP say?
Meanwhile, CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke argued that government restrictions, internet shutdowns and restrictions on movement – not peaceful demonstrations – were disrupting economic activity.
In a post on X, Dipke pointed out that peaceful protests don’t hurt businesses, but government-mandated restrictions, internet shutdowns and restrictions on citizen movement can disrupt economic activity and bring an entire city to a standstill.
Read also | CJP ‘Tiranga’ protest: Dipke hits back alleging business disruption
Dipke’s remarks come as security has been beefed up in and around Connaught Place to maintain law and order ahead of the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protest called by CJP activist Abhijeet Dipke in Central Park on Friday.
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has announced that Central Park in Connaught Place will remain closed to the public on October 16 and 17 for “administrative reasons”.
The Delhi Police said the ban under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was already in force in Connaught Place and surrounding areas.
