{
  "id": 18063499,
  "title": "Jantar Mantar is a road, not a site, says Delhi Police chief",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/jantar-mantar-is-a-road-not-a-site-says-delhi-police-chief",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-04T04:12:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jantar-mantar-is-a-road-not-a-site-says-delhi-police-chief/article71661716.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar informed the Supreme Court that Jantar Mantar is not a designated protest site but a public road. He argued that no one has the fundamental right to protest at a specific location, and the government can relocate protest venues as needed. The police chief cited numerous instances where Jantar Mantar has hosted over 1,300 protests annually, causing traffic congestion, security concerns, and property damage. He emphasized that the right to peacefully protest must not impede the rights of residents, businesses, or government offices in the surrounding area. While the de-notification of Jantar Mantar has been criticized by activists and opposition parties, the police chief insisted that the balance between citizens' right to dissent and the rights of others in the vicinity must be maintained.",
  "summary": "In an affidavit in the Supreme Court, Delhi Police Commissioner says none can insist on a right to protest only at a specific site and the State has power to change venue",
  "key_points": [
    "Jantar Mantar is classified as a public road, not a protest site",
    "Police chief Anurag Kumar argued against specific protest locations",
    "Annual protests at Jantar Mantar cause traffic and security issues"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Reclassifying the landmark as a public thoroughfare signals a shift toward prioritizing urban functionality and resident rights over the traditional accessibility of central protest locations.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Delhi Police files FIR against Prashant Bhushan for allegedly sharing doctored video of Russian FM criticising India",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/delhi-police-files-fir-against-prashant-bhushan-for-allegedly-sharing",
        "published": "2026-11-04T03:32:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}