North India Statesman
The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has ordered the temporary closure of Central Park in Connaught Place to all visitors on October 16 and October 17, 2026.
In an official notification issued on Thursday, October 15, the civic body cited “administrative reasons” for barring general public access over the two-day period. While the municipal notice did not explicitly cite the political demonstration, the development follows hours after the Delhi High Court heard an urgent plea seeking to prohibit the proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ rally planned by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its founder Abhijeet Dipke.
What Did the Delhi High Court Say About the CJP Protest?
A Delhi High Court division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma declined to issue an injunction or a blanket restraining order against CJP’s planned gathering on Friday.
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Police Assurance on Record: Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, appearing on behalf of the Delhi Police, informed the bench that law enforcement agencies had already put regulatory mechanisms in place and would initiate appropriate statutory action in accordance with the law to maintain peace and order.
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Judicial Decision: Taking note of the government counsel’s formal undertaking, the bench disposed of the urgent stay request without prohibiting the event, leaving crowd control and law enforcement decisions to local authorities.
Why a Palika Bazar Trader Approached the Court
The petition was filed by Anil Kumar Gupta, a licensed garment vendor operating in Palika Bazar—the underground shopping complex situated directly beneath Central Park.
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Business and Footfall Concerns: Gupta argued that holding an unsanctioned mass demonstration in a prime shopping district during the festive period would lead to severe economic disruption for small shopkeepers.
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Access Restrictions: The plea highlighted fears of multi-layered barricades, heavy commuter congestion, vehicular diversions, and restricted entry gates that would deter shoppers.
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Plea for Peaceful Business: The petitioner affirmed that while citizens possess a constitutional right to peaceful demonstration, commercial thoroughfares and market hubs require protection against unauthorized roadblocks.
Is All of Connaught Place Closed?
The NDMC shutdown order applies strictly to Central Park, not the surrounding business district:
| Location / Service | Operational Status | What Commuters Should Expect |
| Central Park | Closed (Oct 16–17) | Gates locked; public entry prohibited by NDMC and police. |
| Palika Bazar & CP Markets | Open | Shops in Inner, Middle, and Outer Circles remain open as usual. |
| Rajiv Chowk Metro Station | Operational | Normal train operations; specific entry/exit gates near Central Park may face regulated access. |
| Traffic & Road Movement | Regulated | Heavy police deployment and vehicular diversions around Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar. |
Commuters and shoppers are advised to monitor official Delhi Traffic Police and DMRC social advisories for real-time corridor updates.
The Trigger: Why CJP Called the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ March
Abhijeet Dipke urged supporters to assemble at Central Park carrying the Indian national flag on Friday at 5:00 PM. While Mumbai Police permitted a synchronized flag demonstration at Azad Maidan, the Delhi Police had not granted clearance for the Connaught Place gathering.
Tensions escalated following the detention of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were remanded to five days of judicial custody for attempting to demonstrate at Jantar Mantar (which authorities have excluded as a recognized protest site).
The agitation is part of a larger nationwide standoff demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter exclusions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls—charges that both the ECI and the Central Government have rejected.
