Delhi HC asks police to decide Kshatriya Karni Sena's request for anti-reservation protest at Jantar Mantar

The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the Delhi Police to consider and take a decision by September 14 on Kshatriya Karni Sena's application seeking permission to hold a demonstration against reservation and the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations at Jantar Mantar on September 20.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said that the police must inform the organisation about its decision and the authorities can impose any conditions they want on the demonstration.

"You [Kashtriya Karni Sena] give your representation, and they [police] will decide by September 14. And you (police) will have to tell them. You put any condition you want," the Court said.

The Court passed the order after Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma informed the Court that the permission for a September 6 protest was denied to the organisation due to the BRICS summit.

He said that the police will consider the request after the summit.

The High Court was dealing with a plea filed by Dr Raj Shekhawat, head of the Kshatriya Karni Sena, challenging the Delhi Police decision to deny permission to the group to hold a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar on September 6.

It was stated that the organisation was planning to protest against reservation policies and the University Grants Commission regulations.

In his plea, Shekhawat stated that he had sought permission through a written application dated August 27, undertaking to comply with all lawful directions and reasonable conditions. However, police authorities rejected the request on August 28, citing ongoing preparations for the BRICS Summit.

When the case came up for hearing before the Court on September 3, the Court had asked the petitioner to consider changing the date of the protest.

"Change the date of the protest. What is so sacrosanct about the date? If the police is not agreeing on a particular date. You do it on another day. I can’t permit you without hearing them (police)," Justice Amit Mahajan had said.

Today, the counsel appearing for the petitioner said that the organisation has decided to hold the demonstration on September 20.

The Court then asked the police to take a decision by September 14.

Advocates Himanshu Sharma, Abhishek Tyagi and Roshan Dhanai appeared for the petitioner.