The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought responses from the Centre and other concerned parties on a petition by traders’ organisations seeking an end to protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar during the festive season. The bench said a protest venue cannot remain occupied indefinitely.
The proceedings covered demonstrations at Jantar Mantar in central Delhi last month and a recent Opposition-led protest at Ramlila Maidan against the Chief Election Commissioner. The petitions also raised allegations of mass detentions, police action, Metro station closures and internet shutdowns.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana heard multiple pleas, including one filed by the Kirana Committee Delhi. The traders’ body alleged that the Ramlila Maidan protest had caused substantial business losses.
“You can’t occupy a site at all times. Where will farmers, journalists, etc., go? Everyone has the right to protest. Designated time must be given for designated period,” the Chief Justice observed.
The court directed the traders’ organisations to include the political parties organising the protests against the CEC as respondents in their petition. The bench said it would not be able to adjudicate the dispute unless all groups involved in the demonstrations were made parties to the case.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the traders, told the court that nearly 50 lakh people reside in the areas surrounding the protest venue. He also claimed that shops had remained closed and Connaught Place was deserted on Tuesday.
Petition on electoral roll revision
On October 15, the bench had sought responses from the Election Commission and other parties on a petition filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and 12 Opposition leaders. The plea alleged large-scale deletions of voters and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Traders claim losses of up to Rs 12,000 crore
The INDIA bloc rally held at Ramlila Maidan on November 1 led to traffic disruptions across central Delhi and affected commercial activity during the pre-Diwali shopping period. The Chamber of Trade and Industry said around 2.5 lakh of the 3 lakh shops in 25 major wholesale and retail markets either remained closed or were severely affected.
According to the organisation, Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Connaught Place, Karol Bagh and Kashmiri Gate were among the markets hit during the peak festive shopping season. CTI Chairman Brijesh Goyal and other trade bodies placed the estimated business losses between Rs 10,000 crore and Rs 12,000 crore.
CTI said it had written four letters to Rahul Gandhi on October 24, October 27, October 28 and November 1, asking him either to defer the rally or shift it to another venue to protect festive-season trade. The demonstration was held as scheduled.
Delhi traders’ associations had also approached Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, requesting their intervention to postpone the INDIA bloc rally until after Diwali.
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