‘Can’t occupy a site at all times’: SC seeks response from Centre on protests at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan

New Delhi: The has sought responses from the Centre and others on a plea filed by traders’ organisations on Tuesday. These organisations have sought the stopping of Opposition protests in the national capital against .

During the hearing, the top court pointed out that protest site cannot be occupied “all times to come”. The bench consisted of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, and was hearing several pleas, including the one by Kirana Committee Delhi. In their pleas, petitioners have complained of huge losses due to protests.

Designated time must be given for designated period: SC

“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 CJI said as per news agency PTI. The bench also asked the traders’ bodies to make the organisers of the anti-CEC protest parties submit their petitions.

It may be noted that around 50,00,000 people live in localities which are near the protest site. While all shops remain closed, there is nobody in Connaught Place today, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared on behalf of the traders, said.

Earlier on October 15, the Supreme Court bench had asked the Election Commission and others to respond to a petition filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and 12 other Opposition leaders over allegations of large-scale voter deletions as well as irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls.