The Delhi High Court on Thursday, 15 October 2026, recorded an assurance from Delhi Police that all legally permissible measures would be taken to control a proposed protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and its founder Abhijeet Dipke at Connaught Place on Friday. The assurance came in response to a petition filed by a street vendor who feared the demonstration would disrupt trade during the festive weekend.

Background to the Petition

The plea was filed by Anil Kumar Gupta, a street vendor at Palika Bazar in Connaught Place, seeking directions to restrain the CJP from organising any agitation, demonstration, march, or gathering at Central Park or any venue not officially designated as a protest site. Senior advocate Sacchin Puri, appearing for Gupta, argued that the proposed demonstration could severely affect business activities, particularly given its overlap with a major Hindu festival and the festive weekend. He noted that traders had already suffered substantial losses over the preceding week.

What the High Court Said

A bench of Acting Chief Justice (ACJ) Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma took on record the assurance given by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma, appearing for the Centre and Delhi Police. The court noted that the petitioner's apprehensions would be addressed. In its order, the bench recorded: 'The respondents (authorities) have already taken action to control and regulate the activities of respondent no. 6 (Dipke) and all possible measures under the law will be taken.' The matter has been posted for further hearing on 3 November.

The Proposed 'Lehra Do Tiranga' Demonstration

The protest, called by Dipke in a video message posted on X on Wednesday, was dubbed 'Lehra do Tiranga' — an appeal to supporters to gather at Central Park at 5 pm on Friday and wave the national flag. Dipke framed the act as a demonstration against the arrest of the party's co-conveners, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, asserting that waving the tricolour was not a crime. The court was informed that Dipke had already been served notice through email.

Arrests That Triggered the Protest Call

Das and Ranka were sent to five days' judicial custody on Wednesday in connection with a trespassing case at Jantar Mantar, which has been de-notified as a designated protest site. A third CJP leader, Ajinkya Shinde, was released on a personal bond. All three were booked on allegations of trespassing, violation of bond conditions, and obstruction of public servants in the discharge of their duties.

This comes amid a broader pattern of courts being called upon to balance the constitutional right to protest against potential disruptions to public order and commerce — particularly in central commercial zones of the capital. How the authorities act on their assurance before Friday evening will be closely watched.