New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday, October 15, sought the Centre’s response to a petition challenging the de-notification of Jantar Mantar as Delhi’s designated protest site, questioning whether an October 9 court observation had been used to justify the decision.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notice on a plea filed by advocate Swaty Singh. The petition argues that removing Jantar Mantar as a protest venue infringes citizens’ fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression and peaceful assembly.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the court that the October 9 order was not the basis for the decision. He said a committee had been constituted to examine alternative venues and had submitted a detailed report.

The petitioner argued that protesters must have a meaningful platform to communicate their grievances to the authorities. She said restrictions should not render the right to peaceful assembly ineffective.

The development follows a Delhi Police standing order issued by Commissioner Anurag Kumar on October 11. It de-notified Jantar Mantar and designated Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi as alternative venues for demonstrations.

On October 9, the Supreme Court had asked authorities to reconsider the decades-old practice of holding protests at Jantar Mantar and explore alternative locations with better facilities for peaceful demonstrators.

The petition also cited the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment in Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan vs. Union of India, saying public-order concerns must be balanced against the right to peaceful assembly. The Centre’s response is awaited.