Indian Youth Congress head moves Delhi High Court against Jantar Mantar's de-notification as protest venue

Indian Youth Congress (IYC) President Uday Bhanu Chib has approached the Delhi High Court, challenging the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue.

An earlier plea filed by Chib challenging provisions of the Delhi Police' standing order on protests is already pending before the High Court.

He has moved an application in the same plea, challenging the police's order of October 11 de-notifying Jantar Mantar as the designated protest spot.

The standing order said that Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground, East Delhi, have been designated as new protest venues in place of Jantar Mantar.

According to the order, the decision was taken in line with the recommendations of a committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to examine alternate venues for citizens' protests and demonstrations.

"Based on the Committee's recommendations, Jantar Mantar as a protest venue has been de-notified. Three new venues viz Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground, East Delhi have been designated as new venues for organizing protest/demonstrations," the order said.

The order comes amid protests against the Election Commission of India and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and massive police crackdowns on the same in the national capital.

The Delhi Police justified this decision before the High Court on Tuesday, stating that the decision was taken based on an order passed by the Supreme Court on October 9.

A separate plea challenging the standing order is pending before the Supreme Court.