‘No One Can Occupy Protest Site Indefinitely’: Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that no individual or organisation can occupy a designated protest site indefinitely, stressing that permissions for demonstrations must be time-bound to ensure equal opportunities for all.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant made the observation while hearing petitions related to recent protests in Delhi, including demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Emphasising the need to balance the right to protest with the right to trade and earn a livelihood, the bench said prolonged demonstrations should not deprive daily-wage workers and traders of their means of survival.

“You can’t occupy a site for all times. Where farmers, journalists, etc. will go? Everyone has the right to protest. Designated site must be given for a designated period,” the Chief Justice observed.

The court also highlighted the economic losses suffered by businesses in areas surrounding protest sites and stressed that all groups must get an opportunity to exercise their constitutional rights.

The bench directed that protest permissions should clearly specify their duration and conditions. It also asked traders’ associations to include protest organisers as parties to their petitions so that all stakeholders can be heard.

The matter will be heard further, with the connected petitions divided into nine categories for separate consideration.