SC on CEC protests: Protest site cannot be occupied for all times to come
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought responses from the Centre and key stakeholders regarding a petition filed by traders' associations requesting an end to ongoing demonstrations against the Chief Election Commissioner during the festive season, observing that a protest venue cannot be occupied for “all times to come”.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana was examining multiple petitions, including a plea submitted by the Kirana Committee Delhi alleging severe business losses stemming from the demonstration at Ramlila Maidan.
“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 bench was presiding over a cluster of petitions, incorporating the submission by the traders' groups alongside matters relating to alleged mass detentions, police excess, the closure of Metro stations, and internet suspensions across parts of the capital.
The court instructed the traders' bodies to formally include the organisers of the anti-CEC demonstrations as parties to their petition regarding commercial losses.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the traders' organisations, informed the court that five million residents live in the vicinity of the demonstration site and described a widespread commercial disruption, noting that shops remain shuttered and footfall in Connaught Place has virtually disappeared.
The bench clarified that no judicial determination could be reached unless the traders' associations formally join all organising bodies as respondents in the proceedings.
The hearing remains ongoing.
On October 15, the Supreme Court had issued notices to the Election Commission and relevant authorities on a petition submitted by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alongside 12 opposition figures concerning alleged widespread voter deletions and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
PTI