News Desk: The Supreme Court on Friday warned that it could award compensation if protests in Delhi unlawfully disrupt the livelihoods of traders and daily-wage earners. Expressing concern over the financial difficulties faced by small businesses during the festive season, the court hoped that protesters and authorities would find a way to maintain peace without causing unnecessary hardship.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi made the observations while hearing concerns over the proposed gathering by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Central Park in Connaught Place. The court stressed the importance of balancing the right to protest with the need to protect businesses and the livelihoods of ordinary people.
“If there is loss of business, if it is unlawful to your clients, we will exercise our powers under constitutional tort jurisdiction,” Justice Bagchi told advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, who appeared on behalf of a traders’ association.
Dehadrai claimed that disruptions around Connaught Place were causing losses of more than ₹250 crore a day. He argued that the proposed gathering could severely affect traders who depend on the festive season for a significant portion of their annual income.
The lawyer also raised concerns over a New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) notification issued late Thursday night ordering the closure of Central Park. He argued that the restriction could affect businesses in the surrounding area, along with street vendors and daily-wage workers.
Chief Justice Surya Kant said the matter could be considered after a week, noting that small shopkeepers often depend on festive-season sales to support their families. The bench emphasised that the interests of protesters, traders and law enforcement agencies needed to be considered together.
The Supreme Court directed that the matter be listed for hearing on October 26 or 27, after the Dussehra vacation.
The proposed CJP gathering comes amid protests by the party and opposition groups against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke had called on supporters to assemble at Central Park on Friday with the national flag. He alleged that party members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka had been jailed for unfurling the Tricolour. The two were sent to five days of judicial custody for allegedly violating their peace bonds and trespassing into Jantar Mantar.
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court had recorded an assurance from Delhi Police that it would take all possible measures under the law to regulate the proposed gathering.
The Supreme Court’s observations underline the challenge of safeguarding democratic protest rights while ensuring that ordinary citizens do not suffer disproportionate economic losses.
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