Jantar Mantar De-notified as Protest Site: What Delhi Police's New Order Means

Delhi Police have de-notified Jantar Mantar as a protest venue and named three new sites. Here is what the order says, what is pending in court and what it means.

In short: By a standing order dated 11 October 2026, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue. A plea against the closure of Jantar Mantar is due before the Delhi High Court on 13 October, and the matter is still developing.

What has changed?

Delhi Police have withdrawn Jantar Mantar's status as a designated site for protests and demonstrations. The order says the decision follows the recommendations of a committee set up by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. That committee was asked to look at alternative venues for citizens' protests in place of the existing designated site.

The order partly modifies an earlier standing order, No. L&O/48/22 dated 28 April 2022.

The three new venues

Venue	Location (as reported)	Distance from Jantar Mantar
Ramlila Ground	Old Delhi	About 3 km
CBD Ground	East Delhi	About 13.5 km
Burari Ground	North Delhi	About 44 km

The distances are as reported by India Today. Jantar Mantar is in Central Delhi.

What is still to come

The order says a detailed and revised standard operating procedure (SOP) for protests at the three new venues will be issued separately. Until it is published, the practical rules are unclear. These include how permission is sought, how many people may gather and for how long. The sources do not say what those rules will be, so organisers should wait for the SOP and not assume the earlier arrangements carry over.

What is happening in court?

According to India Today, the Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear a plea on Tuesday, 13 October, challenging the closure of Jantar Mantar for peaceful protests. The petitioner's counsel argued that no alternative site had been earmarked for demonstrations.

The same report says the court also listed a separate petition, about protests held in Delhi on 10 and 11 October, for Tuesday. It declined to grant an urgent hearing on that petition. Its reason was that the Supreme Court was already seized of the matter and had asked the Union government for affidavits.

The court has not yet ruled on whether the de-notification is valid. This article takes no view on that question.

Why it is in the news

Backdrop: Reports link the order to heightened security in the capital. Protests against the Election Commission of India and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar are under way, and the INDIA bloc has planned a march to the Supreme Court.
Police position: The order cites the Home Ministry committee's recommendations. India Today notes that it does not explicitly connect the decision to the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) demand or to the INDIA bloc's march.
Criticism: CJP leaders called the move "unacceptable" and described it as an assault on the right to peaceful assembly. They also questioned whether stakeholders were consulted. These are the party's statements, not findings of any court.
Permission dispute: CJP says it told police of its plan to protest peacefully and has received no date or explanation. It has set the police a 24-hour deadline.

Who is affected, and what should you do?

Anyone planning a protest or demonstration in Delhi is affected, including political parties, student groups, unions and residents' bodies. If you are an organiser:

Do not plan on Jantar Mantar as a designated site, given the 11 October order.
Watch for the revised SOP for the three new venues and follow it once issued.
Check for updates after the High Court hearing on 13 October, as the position could change.

Frequently asked questions

Is Jantar Mantar completely closed to everyone?

The order removes Jantar Mantar's status as a designated protest venue. The sources do not describe other access restrictions, and the High Court is due to hear a plea against the closure on 13 October.

Has the High Court stayed or struck down the order?

No. According to the reports, the plea against the closure is listed for 13 October. The court declined an urgent hearing on a separate petition about the 10 and 11 October protests, as the Supreme Court is already seized of that matter.

Sources

Not legal advice. This page explains the law in general terms. Rules, fees and limits change, and your facts matter. Check the official source or consult a qualified advocate before acting. Disclaimer