The Delhi Police on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that Jantar Mantar is no longer suitable for protests and that a public road should not have been designated as a permanent protest site, citing concerns over public safety, traffic congestion, emergency access, and the security of vital installations.
In a counter affidavit filed before CJI Surya Kant in a separate petition by Swaty Singh, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar defended the decision to de-notify Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, saying the decision was taken after considering the recommendations of a committee constituted by the Union Home Ministry, which had unanimously found the site unsuitable for protests and demonstrations.
The commissioner said the decision was not taken in pursuance of the Supreme Court’s October 9 order in another matter, as the Government had been considering the proposal to change the designated protest venue for a considerable period.