Order prohibiting assembly of five or more persons withdrawn: Delhi Police to SC

Solicitor General informs Supreme Court that Delhi Police order prohibiting assembly has been withdrawn due to urgent listing.

The Delhi Police on Thursday (October 3, 2024) informed the Supreme Court that an order prohibiting the assembly of five or more persons in the national capital from September 30 to October 5 has been "withdrawn".

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told this to a Bench headed by Chief Justice D. Y. Chandrachud when a matter pertaining to the order passed by Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora was mentioned for urgent listing.

"Solicitor General says that the order by the Commissioner of Police has been withdrawn," the CJI told senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, who mentioned the matter for urgent listing.

The order issued by the police commissioner prohibited the assembly of five or more persons, carrying of fire-arms, banners, placards etc., pocketing or dharnas in any public areas from September 30 to October 5, citing law and order issues, including calls of protests given by several organisations.

Ms. Guruswamy mentioned the matter before the Bench, also comprising Justices J. B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, and said the order passed by the police commissioner impacts the city right now because of the Dussehra season.

She said due to the order, Ram Leela can't take place and the order affects the Durga Puja festivities as well.

"Go to the Delhi High Court," the Bench initially said.