Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Delhi High Court Delays Hearing on Youth Congress Protest Plea
The Indian Youth Congress wanted to hold a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar.
It says the protest would raise concerns about changes to voter lists and call for the chief election commissioner to resign.
Delhi Police did not give permission for the protest.
The group asked the Delhi High Court to review that decision.
It says people have a right to speak and gather peacefully, though authorities can set reasonable rules.
The court did not agree to hear the case urgently on Friday.
It said the case would be listed on October 12.
The Delhi High Court declined to hear the Indian Youth Congress plea urgently on Friday and said it would be listed on October 12.
The plea challenges Delhi Police’s October 1 refusal to allow a protest at Jantar Mantar.
The Indian Youth Congress had applied on September 25 to hold a demonstration of about 100–150 people from October 1 to October 25.
The group says the protest would call for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the electoral-roll revision.
The petition argues that protest regulations should be reasonable and proportionate, while acknowledging the state’s role in managing public safety and order.
- Who
- The Indian Youth Congress, Delhi Police, and the Delhi High Court.
- What
- The court declined an urgent hearing on the Indian Youth Congress petition challenging the denial of permission for a protest.
- When
- The urgent hearing request was refused on Friday; the petition is to be listed on October 12. The application to police was made on September 25.
- Where
- The proposed protest site is Jantar Mantar in Delhi; the case is before the Delhi High Court.
- Why
- The Indian Youth Congress seeks to protest alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and challenge the police’s refusal of permission.
Indian Youth Congress’s position
State authorities’ role
Permission for a peaceful demonstration
Indian Youth Congress’s position
The Indian Youth Congress says the protest is an exercise of its rights to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly, and argues that the police should assess requests reasonably and proportionately rather than refuse them mechanically.
State authorities’ role
The petition acknowledges that the state may regulate assemblies to protect public order, traffic, public safety, and the rights of residents and others. The articles do not give Delhi Police’s reasons for denying this specific request.
- Proposed venue
- Jantar Mantar
- Police decision challenged
- Delhi Police communication dated October 1 denying permission
- Application date
- September 25
- Proposed attendance
- Around 100–150 people
- Proposed protest period
- October 1 to October 25
- Next listing
- October 12
- Petitioner’s demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged SIR irregularities