Delhi Police de-notify Jantar Mantar as protest site, name three new venues

Delhi Police announced on Monday, 12 October 2026 that Jantar Mantar has been de-notified as a designated protest venue in the capital and that three other sites have been designated in its place. The Hindu, The New Indian Express and Hindustan Times reported the details of the order, which was signed by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and is dated 11 October.

What the order says

According to the reports, the standing order names Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in east Delhi as the new venues for protests and demonstrations. It says the change is “based on the recommendations of the committee” constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to examine alternative venues, as quoted by The New Indian Express. Delhi Police said in a statement, as reported by The Hindu, that a detailed and revised standard operating procedure (SOP) for the three venues “will be issued separately”. The order partially modifies Standing Order No. L&O/48/22 of 28 April 2022.

The reports reviewed did not give the membership of the Home Ministry committee or the date of its recommendations. We were unable to view the order itself, so these details are as reported by the outlets above.

Context

The announcement came amid protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, which have centred on Jantar Mantar. Our earlier reports cover the detentions of 10 October and the Supreme Court’s Sunday hearing.

The Hindu reported that in its four-page order of 9 October the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant recorded that counsel for all parties, including the petitioners, were “ad idem” that suitable alternative sites with basic amenities should be identified, and asked the “competent authority” to consider the suggestion. The Hindu also reported that a petition in the Supreme Court has sought Ramlila Maidan or another large ground as the principal protest venue. The Court’s own order has not been reviewed by us.

In 2018 the Supreme Court lifted a ban on protests at Jantar Mantar and Boat Club while saying that the right to protest must be balanced against the rights of residents, The Hindu noted.

Reactions

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X that the move showed “extreme panic” and that “Democracy no longer matters for them”, according to The New Indian Express. CJP co-convener Saurav Das called it an “assault on people’s fundamental right to protest and peaceful assembly”. Prashant Bhushan said the government wanted to push protests to the outskirts of Delhi.

No separate statement from the Union Home Ministry or the Bharatiya Janata Party responding to the criticism was found in the reports reviewed. Delhi Police’s statement gave the committee’s recommendation as the basis for the decision.

What happens next

The Delhi High Court bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma agreed on Monday to hear petitions on the closure of Jantar Mantar as a protest site on Tuesday, 13 October. The Hindu reported that the bench noted the Supreme Court is also seized of related matters and has asked the Union to file affidavits. Delhi Police have said the revised SOP for the new venues will be issued separately; no date was reported.