Delhi HC defers hearing on Youth Congress plea against protest denial
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New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday declined to take up an urgent petition by the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) challenging the police refusal to allow its proposed demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar.
The petition was mentioned before Acting Chief Justice Nitin Vasudeo Sambre by senior advocate Sanjay Ghosh on behalf of IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib. The court said it would hear the matter on Monday instead.
“What is the urgency? We will hear it on Monday,” the Acting Chief Justice said.
The IYC had sought permission on September 25 to hold a peaceful protest involving around 100 to 150 people. According to its petition, the Delhi Police communicated the rejection only on October 1, the day scheduled for the demonstration, despite repeated follow-ups.
The plea was filed amid a series of protests by INDIA bloc leaders against Gyanesh Kumar. The Opposition has been seeking action against the Chief Election Commissioner over the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Congress leader Udit Raj on Thursday defended the protests, saying it was the Opposition’s responsibility to safeguard democracy.
The latest demonstration was led by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who was joined by Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Opposition leaders. On Tuesday, the Delhi Police detained the leaders after they were stopped while marching towards the Election Commission office. They were released several hours later.
Security has been tightened around Jantar Mantar, with additional personnel deployed and barricades placed near the Election Commission office. Restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita have also been imposed in the area.
Separately, the Delhi government has ordered liquor shops operating under specified licences to remain closed for two days from Friday as a preventive measure ahead of a proposed protest by the Cockroach Janta Party.
(Inputs from IANS)