Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Delhi Police Say Peaceful Protests Allowed Outside Section 163 Areas
Delhi Police say people can hold peaceful protests in places where Section 163 is not in force.
This rule lets authorities issue orders to prevent possible disturbances.
A senior police officer said police will check the situation before deciding how to respond to gatherings where the rule applies.
The comments came after a Supreme Court ruling about limits on detaining people in areas without such orders.
The officer also said people can move around and act peacefully even in areas covered by Section 163.
A senior Delhi Police officer said peaceful protests will be allowed where Section 163 of the BNSS is not in force.
Section 163 empowers authorities to issue orders aimed at preventing potential disturbances.
The officer said police will assess the law-and-order situation before acting against gatherings in areas under prohibitory orders.
The remarks followed a Supreme Court ruling that set limits on detentions where Section 163 orders are not in force.
The officer said people are allowed to move and peaceful activity is permitted even in areas where Section 163 is in force.
- Who
- Delhi Police, through a senior officer, and people wishing to gather or protest.
- What
- Police said peaceful protests will be allowed where Section 163 of the BNSS is not in force and that responses to gatherings will depend on the law-and-order situation.
- When
- The officer made the remarks on Sunday, following a Supreme Court ruling.
- Where
- Delhi, including areas where Section 163 of the BNSS is or is not in force.
- Why
- The remarks followed a Supreme Court ruling setting limits on detentions in areas without Section 163 prohibitory orders.
Peaceful Assembly
Public Order
Protests without prohibitory orders
Peaceful Assembly
The police officer said peaceful protests will be allowed where Section 163 is not in force.
Public Order
The officer said police will still assess the law-and-order situation before acting against gatherings where prohibitory orders apply.
Gatherings where Section 163 applies
Peaceful Assembly
The officer said people are allowed to move and operate peacefully even in areas where Section 163 is in force.
Public Order
The officer said police may act according to the law-and-order situation in those areas.
- Police position
- Peaceful protests will be allowed in areas where Section 163 is not in force.
- Law cited
- Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
- Section 163 purpose
- It empowers authorities to issue orders to prevent potential disturbances.
- Police approach
- Assess the law-and-order situation before acting against gatherings where prohibitory orders are in force.
- Related court action
- The Supreme Court ruling set limits on detentions in areas where Section 163 is not in force.
- Statement timing
- Sunday.