The Delhi High Court on October 9 declined to urgently list a petition filed by Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president Uday Bhanu Chib challenging the Delhi Police’s refusal to permit a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar. Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre said the matter would be heard on Monday.
The petition challenges a Delhi Police order dated October 1 rejecting the organisation’s request to hold a peaceful demonstration. The IYC had applied for permission on September 25, proposing a gathering of approximately 100–150 people and undertaking to follow lawful conditions concerning security, traffic management and public order.
The plea states that the rejection was communicated on the proposed date of the protest, despite repeated follow-ups. It argues that the police cannot prohibit peaceful assemblies without an individualised and proportionate assessment.
Senior Advocate Sanjoy Ghose, appearing for the IYC, told the Court that the petition’s defects had been cured and sought urgent listing, referring to the liberty granted during the previous day’s mentioning.
Declining the request for an urgent hearing, the Bench stated, “No. We are hearing it on Monday.”
The Court declined urgent listing for Friday and scheduled the matter for hearing on Monday. The petition raises alleged violations of Articles 14, 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Constitution, concerning equality, freedom of speech and expression, and peaceful assembly.
