The Supreme Court on Tuesday said designated protest sites cannot be occupied indefinitely, emphasising that the right to demonstrate must be balanced with the rights of businesses, commuters and other groups seeking to raise their grievances.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, sought responses from the government, Delhi Police and other authorities on a petition filed by a traders’ body alleging substantial business losses due to demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
“You can’t occupy a site all the time. Where will farmers, journalists go? Everyone has the right to protest. Designated time must be given for a designated period,” the Chief Justice observed.
The court was hearing petitions that also raised concerns over alleged police brutality, mass detentions, the closure of Delhi Metro stations and internet shutdowns during the protests.
The bench stressed that permissions granted for demonstrations must clearly specify the conditions and duration of the protests, ensuring that other groups are not prevented from exercising their rights.
The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has claimed that Delhi’s businesses suffered losses estimated at Rs 11,000 crore on November 1, when the INDIA bloc organised a rally at Ramlila Maidan. According to the traders’ body, around 2.5 lakh shops remained shut, affecting retail and wholesale markets, transport, hospitality and tourism.
The CTI subsequently wrote to the Delhi Police Commissioner seeking a ban on rallies, protest marches and sit-ins until November 11. It also claimed that political demonstrations had caused business losses of approximately Rs 14,000 crore over the preceding month.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court said allegations of assaults on women journalists during the protests would be heard separately on November 23.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising sought the constitution of a special investigation team headed by a woman judge to examine complaints of sexual violence against women journalists.
Source: India Today
