The Delhi Police has removed Jantar Mantar from its list of designated venues for protests and demonstrations, naming three alternative locations in the capital. The decision comes amid a standoff with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over permission to hold a peaceful protest and heightened security ahead of the INDIA bloc’s planned march to the Supreme Court.
According to a standing order dated October 11, 2026, the newly designated protest venues are Ramlila Ground in Old Delhi, CBD Ground in East Delhi and Burari Ground in North Delhi. They are approximately 3 km, 13.5 km and 44 km away from Jantar Mantar, respectively.
The order, signed by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, partially changes an earlier order issued on April 28, 2022, which had designated Jantar Mantar as a protest venue. The police said revised standard operating procedures for organising demonstrations at the new locations would be issued separately.
CJP Demands Permission for Peaceful Protest
The decision comes as the CJP continues to seek permission to hold a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Party leaders walked out of Parliament Street police station on Monday, demanding a date for the protest and an explanation for the denial of permission.
CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the party had informed the police of its intention to protest peacefully but had not received a date for the demonstration or a clear explanation for the restrictions. “We have given them 24 hours to give us a date,” Das said, warning that the party would announce a march if the police failed to respond within the deadline.
Das also alleged that police used excessive force against protesters during a recent crackdown, claiming that demonstrators were beaten inside buses. He accused senior police officials of avoiding discussions with the party’s delegation and said the CJP would continue its peaceful protest.
Move Comes Ahead of INDIA Bloc March
The change also comes amid increased security in Delhi ahead of the INDIA bloc’s planned march to the Supreme Court over allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and concerns involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Opposition leaders have questioned the scale of the security arrangements and restrictions on public movement.
The police order cites recommendations from a committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. However, it does not explicitly connect the decision to the CJP’s protest demand or the INDIA bloc’s planned march.
Delhi High Court to Hear Plea
The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear a petition on Tuesday, October 13, challenging the closure of Jantar Mantar for peaceful demonstrations. The petitioner’s counsel had argued that no alternative venue had been designated for protests.
The court has also listed a separate petition concerning demonstrations held in Delhi on October 10 and 11. It declined an urgent hearing, noting that the Supreme Court was already examining the matter and had sought affidavits from the Union government.
