Delhi High Court to urgently hear plea against Connaught Place protest

The Delhi High Court agreed to urgently hear a plea against Abhijeet Dipke's Central Park protest. The challenge raises concerns over demonstrations in Connaught Place during the Dussehra weekend.Stock photo used for illustrationNewdelhi,Oct 15, 2026 11:30 ISTThe Delhi High Court on Thursday agreed to urgently hear a plea seeking to stop a protest called by Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke at Central Park in Connaught Place on October 16.The proposed protest follows the detention of CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were sent to five-day judicial custody for allegedly violating their peace bonds and entering Jantar Mantar, which is no longer designated as a protest site.Senior advocate Sacchin Puri mentioned the matter for an urgent hearing before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma.“In the heart of Connaught Place Central Park, a protest is called. It seems we are being targeted. This is not a site for protest. They have already started shutting down. This is the Dussehra weekend. This protest has to be stopped,” Puri said. Noting that the Supreme Court was also scheduled to consider protest-related issues during the day, the bench asked the counsel to inform the other parties and return to the court at 2.30 pm.Dipke has called on “patriots” to gather at Central Park in Delhi's business hub of Connaught Place on Friday with the national flag. He alleged that Das and Ranka had been “jailed for unfurling the Tricolour”. The call was made on the day Das and Ranka were sent to judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail. They are accused of violating their peace bonds and trespassing into Jantar Mantar.Central Delhi has witnessed large protests by opposition parties, student groups and civil society members since June and July over several issues, including matters related to the functioning of the Election Commission. Lawyer Rishabh Saxena and traders had earlier approached the High Court seeking regulation of protests in the capital.The High Court will hear the plea against the proposed Connaught Place protest after asking the counsel to notify the other parties.- Ends