Delhi Police: Jantar Mantar De-notified as Protest Venue, New Sites Named

• Jantar Mantar has been de-notified as a designated protest venue by Delhi Police.
• Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in East Delhi are now the official locations for protests.
• This change was formalized by a Standing Order issued on October 11 by Delhi Commissioner of Police Anurag Kumar.
• The decision follows recommendations from a Union Ministry of Home Affairs committee tasked with identifying alternative protest sites.
• New Standard Operating Procedures for protests at the designated venues are expected to be issued separately.

Lawyers advising individuals or organizations planning protests or public gatherings in Delhi must be acutely aware of the recent de-notification of Jantar Mantar and the subsequent designation of Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground as the new official protest venues.

Delhi Police has officially removed Jantar Mantar from its list of designated protest locations, marking a substantial change in India's public assembly regulations. This directive, issued via a Standing Order, designates three new sites for demonstrations: Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in East Delhi. The move redefines the permissible spaces for public gatherings and protests within the national capital.

The Standing Order, dated October 11, was issued by Delhi Commissioner of Police Anurag Kumar. It explicitly states the de-notification of Jantar Mantar as a protest venue and confirms the designation of the three alternative locations. This administrative action by the Delhi Police signifies a formal overhaul of the city's approach to managing public demonstrations.

This pivotal decision by the Delhi Police is not arbitrary but stems from specific recommendations made by a committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The primary mandate of this committee was to thoroughly examine and propose alternative venues suitable for citizens' protests and demonstrations, moving beyond the long-standing use of Jantar Mantar.

The official order from Commissioner Kumar directly references these committee recommendations as the foundation for the change. It underscores a deliberate, policy-driven effort to re-evaluate and restructure the infrastructure supporting public expression in Delhi, ensuring that designated spaces are available while managing potential disruptions in previously central areas.

Lawyers advising individuals or organizations planning protests or public gatherings in Delhi must be acutely aware of the recent de-notification of Jantar Mantar and the subsequent designation of Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground as the new official protest venues. This pivotal change necessitates a thorough update to any advice concerning permissible locations for public assembly and requires preparation for the forthcoming revised Standard Operating Procedures. Compliance with these evolving public assembly regulations is paramount to avoid potential legal repercussions for organizers and participants alike.

The Delhi Police Standing Order, dated October 11, explicitly outlines these changes, emphasizing the shift in approved sites for demonstrations. This directive arrives amidst a period of heightened public activity in the national capital, notably including protests directed against the Election Commission of India and its Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar. These recent demonstrations have, at times, been met with significant police crackdowns, underscoring the critical importance of adhering to the updated guidelines for protest venues in Delhi. The impending detailed SOPs will further define the operational aspects of organizing and conducting protests at the newly designated sites, marking a significant evolution in how public dissent can be lawfully expressed in the city.

Lawyers advising individuals or organizations planning protests or public gatherings in Delhi must be aware of the de-notification of Jantar Mantar and the designation of Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground as the new official protest venues. This change necessitates updating advice on permissible locations and preparing for forthcoming revised Standard Operating Procedures to ensure compliance with public assembly regulations and avoid legal repercussions.

Source: Original reporting via official Delhi Police directives.