New Delhi, Nov 3 The Delhi Police on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that while prohibitory orders were imposed in various places of the national capital ahead of CJP’s October 10 protest call, Jantar Mantar was kept outside the restrictions, with demonstrations allowed there subject to prior written permission and a 5 pm deadline.
In an additional affidavit filed before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar said that the prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were issued in view of the sensitivity of the New Delhi area.
The affidavit was filed in response to a writ petition filed by CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby, in pursuance of a Supreme Court order dated October 15 directing the Delhi Police to place on record the orders promulgated under Section 163 of the BNSS in New Delhi.
Earlier on October 15, Delhi Police had filed an affidavit in the same petition which challenged the closure of 57 Delhi Metro stations ahead of the proposed October 10 protest against the CEC Gyanesh Kumar in the national capital.
Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar had said the steps taken by the police administration, including regulation of Metro rail services, were preventive measures based on intelligence inputs and an assessment of the prevailing and ever-changing ground situation.
In its additional affidavit on Tuesday, the police said that the restrictions were imposed considering the key establishments near the protest site such as Parliament, Rashtrapati Bhawan and India Gate, and the events that unfolded during July protests.
The affidavit listed seven orders issued between August 19 and September 26 for the police sub-divisions of Connaught Place, Tughlak Road, Parliament Street, Chanakyapuri, Barakhamba Road, Safdarjung Enclave and Defence Colony.
Orders for two sub-divisions — Parliament Street and Connaught Place — specifically excluded the exempted area of Jantar Mantar Road from the prohibitory orders.
The orders generally prohibited public meetings, assembly of five or more persons, carrying of firearms and other objects, shouting of slogans, making speeches, processions, demonstrations, picketing and dharnas without prior written permission.
The affidavit said Delhi has 15 police districts, which are further divided into 72 sub-divisions, and that orders under Section 163 are issued based on emergent law and order situations.
The orders were to remain in force for 60 days, unless withdrawn earlier, and violations were made punishable under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
(PTI News)
