Jantar Mantar Says ‘No’, Youth Congress Says ‘See You In Court’: IYC Moves Delhi High Court Over Denied Protest Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

The Indian Youth Congress has moved the Delhi High Court against the Delhi Police’s October 1 order refusing permission for a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The plea, filed by IYC President Uday Bhanu Chib, says the application for a peaceful gathering of 100–150 persons was made on September 25, yet the refusal came only on the first proposed protest date. It argues that police cannot turn regulation into prohibition, and invokes Articles 14, 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b).

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The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) has approached the Delhi High Court against the Delhi Police’s refusal to permit a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Plea Challenges Police Order Of October 1

The petition has been filed by IYC President Uday Bhanu Chib through Advocate Roopesh Singh Bhadauria. It challenges the Delhi Police order dated October 1, which rejected the request to hold the protest.

Application Filed A Week Earlier

According to the plea, the IYC had applied to the Delhi Police on September 25 for a peaceful demonstration of around 100–150 persons. It had also undertaken to follow all lawful conditions relating to security, traffic, discipline and public order.

Answer Came On Protest Day

The plea states that, despite repeated follow-ups, the rejection was communicated only on October 1, the first proposed date of the protest. In other words, the organisers allegedly got their answer when the day of the protest had already arrived.

Regulation Cannot Become Prohibition

The petition argues that the police cannot convert the power to regulate a peaceful assembly into a power to prohibit it, unless they make an individualised and proportionate assessment. It alleges that the protest guidelines were applied in a mechanical manner.

Constitutional Grounds

The plea invokes Articles 14, 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Constitution of India, which deal with equality before law, freedom of speech and expression, and the right to assemble peacefully. It also relies on settled Supreme Court jurisprudence that protects the right to peaceful assembly and requires proportionate regulation of such rights.