₹2,000-CRORE LOSS CLAIM PUTS DELHI’S PROTEST DISRUPTIONS UNDER JUDICIAL SCRUTINY
October 13, 2026
NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 13: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought the Centre’s response to petitions seeking tighter regulation of protests in the national capital, after traders, vendors and lawyers raised concerns over mounting business losses, traffic disruption and restricted access to commercial districts.
A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma asked the Centre and other authorities to obtain instructions before the matter is taken up for hearing on Friday. The court also directed the petitioners to place on record copies of related petitions filed before the Supreme Court, making clear that it did not wish to examine issues already under consideration by the apex court.
The petitions come amid sustained demonstrations in central Delhi by Opposition parties, student groups and civil society organisations over issues concerning the functioning of the Election Commission. The protests have reportedly affected movement around important commercial and institutional areas, prompting affected groups to seek enforcement of existing guidelines governing public demonstrations.
TRADERS CLAIM LOSSES OF UP TO ₹2,000 CRORE
Senior advocate Sacchin Puri, representing lawyer Rishabh Saxena, told the court that traders had suffered losses estimated at up to ₹2,000 crore because of barricading and restrictions associated with recent protests. He argued that commercial hubs such as Connaught Place had become difficult to access, affecting businesses during the festive shopping season.
Senior advocate Sanjay Poddar, appearing for the traders, highlighted the importance of the October-to-February period for commercial activity, arguing that disruptions during these months could have significant financial consequences.
The petitioners maintained that the existing standard operating procedures for protests should be implemented effectively. They argued that demonstrations should be organised in a manner that protects the right to peaceful assembly without bringing commercial activity, public movement and institutional functioning to a standstill.
COURT SEEKS BALANCE BETWEEN PROTEST RIGHTS AND PUBLIC INTEREST
The legal challenge centres on the implementation of established procedures governing demonstrations rather than a blanket prohibition on protests. The petitioners contend that compliance with existing judicial directions could help prevent unnecessary disruption while preserving citizens’ ability to express dissent.
The High Court’s request for the Centre’s response marks an initial step in examining the demands. No final decision has been announced on the proposed regulation, and the court has yet to determine the merits of the allegations concerning business losses.
The matter is expected to return to the High Court on Friday, as the wider debate continues over how Delhi can accommodate peaceful political demonstrations while safeguarding livelihoods, commercial activity and public access to essential areas.
