Delhi Police has told the Supreme Court that Jantar Mantar was removed from the capital’s list of designated protest sites after a committee set up by the Union Home Ministry found that the location posed concerns for public safety, traffic movement, emergency access and the security of sensitive establishments.
The explanation was submitted in a response filed in a petition by Swati Singh before Chief Justice of India Suryakant. Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar said the decision followed consideration of recommendations made by the committee, which was constituted on August 26 and submitted its report to the Home Ministry in September, well before the Supreme Court’s October 9 order in another matter.
According to the police affidavit, the committee concluded that a public road should not be permanently designated as a protest venue. It recommended the Ramlila Maidan, CBD Ground and Burari Ground as alternative locations for demonstrations. The police said the decision to remove Jantar Mantar was not taken to comply with the October 9 Supreme Court order and had been under consideration by the government for some time.
The police cited the volume of activity at Jantar Mantar as a key operational concern. Commissioner Kumar said the site hosts more than 1,300 protests each year, with large crowds frequently attending. The affidavit stated that such gatherings can affect the movement of ambulances and fire services and may create a risk of a stampede. Police also referred to the location’s proximity to sensitive areas and the possible impact on traffic and public order.
The court filing also addressed restrictions imposed during protests in October under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Kumar defended the orders by referring to the sensitivity of the area and incidents during an earlier round of protests in July 2026. He said broad restrictions had not been imposed uniformly across New Delhi. Jantar Mantar was excluded from those restrictions, although demonstrations there remained subject to prior written permission and a 5 pm time limit.
A separate affidavit filed by Joint Commissioner of Police Surendra Kumar responded to a petition represented by senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy. It stated that Trinamool Congress leaders Mamata Banerjee, Derek O’Brien, Dola Sen and others were neither detained nor arrested during a protest on October 10. According to the police, they were removed from the protest site for allegedly violating directions issued under Section 163.
The police further argued that the petition was originally framed as a habeas corpus plea and that the relief sought had already been provided. The Supreme Court’s response to the affidavits will determine how the dispute over designated protest locations, restrictions and access to central Delhi’s public spaces proceeds.
