News Desk: The Delhi High Court on Thursday declined to restrain Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke from holding a proposed Tiranga March at Connaught Place on October 16. The court took note of the Delhi Police’s assurance that it would take all possible measures to maintain law and order during the gathering.
Dipke has called on people to assemble at Central Park in Connaught Place at 5 pm on Friday, carrying the national flag. The march, described as a nationwide “Lehra Do Tiranga” demonstration, is being organised to protest against the arrests of CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Anil Kumar Gupta, a licensed street vendor at Palika Bazar. The petitioner expressed concern that the proposed gathering could disrupt business activities, affect traders and inconvenience people working in the area.
The plea also argued that Central Park was not a designated protest venue and that a large gathering could create traffic problems and affect access to public spaces and commercial establishments, particularly during the festive season.
During the hearing, the Delhi Police assured the court that it would take appropriate steps to address the concerns raised by the petitioner. The court did not issue an order stopping the march. The matter has been listed for further consideration on November 3.
March planned after CJP members' arrests
The proposed demonstration comes days after Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five days of judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail. They were arrested along with CJP activist Ajinkya Shinde after allegedly entering Jantar Mantar, a day after the police removed the site from the list of designated protest venues.
The arrests followed a demonstration during which CJP members allegedly raised slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police cited alleged trespassing, violations of prohibitory orders and breaches of peace-bond conditions in connection with the action.
Dipke has maintained that waving the national flag is not a crime and has encouraged people in other cities to organise similar gatherings. He has also indicated that he could face arrest over the protest call.
### Protests over electoral roll revision
The march comes amid continuing protests against Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties, activists, student organisations and farmers’ groups have raised concerns about the exercise.
The Election Commission has rejected allegations that the revision process was intended to favour the ruling BJP.
Delhi Police had earlier identified Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as alternative venues for demonstrations after removing Jantar Mantar from its designated protest sites.
Friday’s proposed march is expected to draw attention to the continuing dispute over protest rights, police restrictions and the electoral roll revision process.
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