Delhi High Court seeks Centre’s position on protest rules

The Delhi High Court on October 13 sought the Centre’s position on petitions seeking implementation of standard operating procedures for protests in the capital, and scheduled a hearing for October 16, 2026. The petitions were brought by lawyers and traders seeking rules to regulate demonstrations and limit disruption to professional work and business. The bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma, asked the Centre and other authorities to provide their position. It also directed petitioners to place on record related protest petitions pending before the Supreme Court, saying it did not want to consider an issue already before that court. Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma told the High Court that protest-related petitions were pending in the Supreme Court. The High Court’s next hearing is scheduled for October 16; the supplied information does not establish what directions the court may issue then. Petitioners’ counsel Sacchin Puri told the court that traders had lost up to ₹2,000 crore because of barricading and restrictions associated with protests. He also said Connaught Place had become inaccessible.