सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने केंद्र से जतरा मनटर को वैकल्पिक प्रोटेस्ट स्थल बनाने का अनुरोध

Supreme Court Asks Centre To Decide On Reconsidering Jantar Mantar As Designated Protest Venue

Debby Jain

9 Oct 2026 4:30 PM IST

The Court said that a decision be taken on whether an alternate place with better amenities for the protesters needs to be designated.

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to consider whether another location should be designated for peaceful protests in place of Jantar Mantar, considering the suggestion that an alternative venue equipped with adequate amenities for protesters needs to be identified.

The Court passed the direction after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court that the competent authority would consider designating a place other than Jantar Mantar for peaceful protests, and requested to record the statement in the order. The SG said that Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal was also agreeable to the suggestion.

“During the course of hearing, it was also suggested, and learned senior counsel/counsel for Parties are ad idem that it's high time that some suitable place where all basic amenities can be provided for peaceful and lawful protestors needs to be identified and designated. Let the competent authority consider the suggestion and take an appropriate decision,” the Court ordered.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana was hearing a petition challenging the suspension of trains to Delhi and metro services in the national capital ahead of the protests announced by the CJP and opposition parties tomorrow against the Chief Election Commissioner.

During the hearing, the bench was informed that the police had refused permission to the CJP and the Indian Youth Congress to hold protests at Jantar Mantar, which is the designated protest venue.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, for CPI(M) Secretary MA Baby, said the alternate venue of Ramlila Maidan was also not considered. He submitted that Jantar Mantar was itself a designated protest site.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan argued that if permission to hold protests at Jantar Mantar was being denied, the authorities could have permitted the protesters to use Ramlila Maidan.

CJI Surya Kant pointed out that government residences were located in the Jantar Mantar area and that some Members of Parliament lived along the adjoining lane. He also highlighted the difficulties faced by protesters at the site, including the lack of access to toilets.

“There are government residences there. Some MPs stay in the front lane there. Lots of problems even to protesters. They are denied toilets there,” the CJI observed.

Responding to the submissions, Solicitor General Mehta highlighted the difficulties in providing emergency medical assistance at Jantar Mantar, stating that if a protester fell ill, an ambulance would have difficulty reaching the location.

The bench primarily focused on the issue of suspension of transport services, and passed an order asking the Centre to not completely stop train and metro services, and to allow them in a regulated manner.

After the order was dictated, Solicitor General mentioned that the Centre will take a decision on re-designating the protest site.

Taking note of the submissions, the Court left it to the competent authority to consider the suggestion and take an appropriate decision on identifying an alternative venue for peaceful protests.

Earlier, the Court had issued notice to the Centre on another petition against allowing protests at Jantar Mantar, terming that the plea raised an important issue.

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