'Jantar Mantar Should Never Have Been A Protest Site, Can Hold Only 1,500 People': Delhi Police Tells SC

News india 'Jantar Mantar Should Never Have Been A Protest Site, Can Hold Only 1,500 People': Delhi Police Tells SC

Last Updated:November 03, 2026, 18:00 IST

The police argued that the site can accommodate only 1,500 people at a time and suggested Ramlila Maidan, CBD Ground and Burari Ground as alternative venues.

Following the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, the Delhi Police on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that the area should never have been permitted to host demonstrations, citing its public utility.

The police argued that the site can accommodate only 1,500 people at a time and suggested Ramlila Maidan, CBD Ground and Burari Ground as alternative venues.

Jantar Mantar was denotified as a designated protest site in the national capital on on October 12.

The move, as per a standing order issued by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, came as the capital witnessed a slew of protests and demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Student-led organisations, youth organisations such as the Cockroach Janta Party, and INDIA bloc leaders held demonstrations in and around the Jantar Mantar area and Central Delhi, with thousands being detained for unlawful assembly. The de-notification of Jantar Mantar has drawn criticism from activists and Opposition parties who allege that this is a stifling of the citizens’ right to protest. In July 2026, demonstrations by the Cockroach Janta Party over the NEET paper leak were also held at Jantar Mantar.

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Manisha RoySenior Sub-Editor

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers politics and a wide range of hard news, with a keen interest in national and international d...Read More

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