Supreme Court Orders Traders to Add Delhi Protest Organisers

The Supreme Court on November 3 directed Delhi traders’ associations seeking compensation for alleged business losses from protests to add the protest organisers as parties, giving them an opportunity to respond before the claims are considered. The Bench also made oral observations that designated protest sites should not be occupied indefinitely, while stressing that protest rights must be balanced with livelihoods and others’ ability to demonstrate. It issued no final ruling on those issues at the hearing. The connected petitions concern demonstrations in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, as well as allegations about police action, restrictions on movement and surveillance. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, sitting with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, said protest venues should be available to different groups for specified periods. The Court’s remarks were observations during the hearing, not a final legal determination setting new limits on protests. Traders’ lawyer Mukul Rohatgi told the Court that demonstrations had disrupted business during the festive season and claimed losses of about Rs 2,000 crore. The estimate has not been...