Supreme Court Declines Urgent Hearing on Connaught Place Park Shutdown
The Supreme Court on Friday, October 16, declined to urgently hear a plea by two Delhi traders’ bodies against the New Delhi Municipal Council’s (NDMC) order shutting Central Park in Connaught Place, but said it could step in later if the restriction is found to be disproportionate and causes business losses. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi heard the oral mention.
What The Traders Asked For
The Delhi Kirana Committee and the Delhi Iron and Hardware Merchant Association, represented by advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, challenged an NDMC notice issued the previous night. The shutdown is linked to a “Tiranga” protest announced by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Central Park on Friday evening.
Counsel argued that the protest and the restriction together would disrupt trade worth about Rs 200 crore a day, and that the festive season would make the losses worse. The bench noted that the Delhi High Court is already hearing a related matter.
What The Court Said
Justice Bagchi said that if the order is found disproportionate and leads to losses, the court can act under its constitutional tort and compensation jurisdiction. “Let’s cross that bridge when it comes,” he said. The Chief Justice said disruption of trade can affect the livelihoods of many families and expressed hope that “better sense will prevail”.
The matter may be listed on October 26 or 27, after the Dussehra break, according to PTI and LiveLaw. No formal direction was reported.
Why It Matters For Small Businesses
Connaught Place is one of Delhi’s busiest commercial districts, with shops, restaurants and offices that depend on steady footfall, especially in the weeks before Diwali. Closures of public spaces can cut business for small shopkeepers, staff and street vendors who have little cushion against lost days.
The court’s remarks signal that relief for such losses remains possible later, even though it did not interfere with the order now. Two CJP members were sent to judicial custody this week, accused of violating peace bonds and trespassing at Jantar Mantar, which has been denotified as a protest site.
Other recent Supreme Court matters include the Kerala court fee case and the notice on social media age limits for children. The next hearing will show whether the court examines the NDMC order on merits.
Based on reporting by LiveLaw and PTI via ThePrint.
Image: IPB.
