New Delhi, August 3: Public agitations at Jantar Mantar may face spatial restrictions as the Supreme Court initiated proceedings to determine whether alternative locations should be earmarked for public demonstrations in New Delhi. The apex court directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to obtain administrative instructions after a petition contended that frequent mass gatherings create severe operational logjams for the surrounding residential sectors.
The petition maintains that the existing setup severely compromises basic civic functions, creating blockade-like conditions for emergency vehicles and daily freight movement.
Addressing the Union’s law officer, Chief Justice Surya Kant declared that the suitability of the current site merits formal review given the growing scale of public gatherings. He affirmed that issues surrounding medical supply chains and resident mobility require structural solutions, ordering the matter to be listed separately for detailed hearing.
Jantar Mantar has remained the primary hub for civic protests in the capital, recently hosting extensive demonstrations over national examination leaks that drew students, families, and civil society groups.
When the petitioner’s counsel expressed apprehension regarding announced political marches and potential law and order challenges, the bench maintained confidence in institutional governance. Chief Justice Surya Kant declared that law enforcement authorities know how to handle such situations appropriately, maintaining that judicial intervention would only arise if administrative mishandling occurs.
