Delhi High Court seeks Centre’s stand on pleas by lawyers, traders to regulate protests

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (October 13, 2026) asked the Centre for its position on petitions filed by traders, vendors, and lawyers seeking regulation of protests in the national capital, in line with the governing standard operating procedures. A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma requested the counsel representing the central government and other authorities to obtain instructions before the matter could be listed for hearing on Friday (October 16, 2026).

The bench also directed the petitioners to submit a copy of the protest-related petitions filed in the Supreme Court. The court clarified that they do not wish to address an area already under consideration in the Supreme Court. Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma informed that the petitions in the Supreme Court have been postponed to October 15.

Central Delhi has been experiencing large-scale protests by various opposition parties, student groups, and civil society members since June-July of the current year, over issues related to the functioning of the Election Commission of India. Senior lawyers representing the petitioners argued that the Supreme Court has issued several directions on regulating protests, which need to be followed.

Sanjay Poddar, a senior counsel for the traders, contended that, due to the festive season, the period from October to February is the best time for business; however, recent protests have adversely affected their operations. Sacchin Puri, appearing for petitioner Rishabh Saxena, a lawyer, highlighted that hundreds of people participated in a recent protest in Central Delhi, causing significant disruptions.

The cases were heard after the bench recently granted Mr. Puri's request for an urgent hearing. Traders have suffered losses of up to ₹2,000 crore due to roadblocks and the nature of the protests; some areas, like Connaught Place, have become entirely inaccessible.