No complete ban on protests at Jantar Mantar, says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Monday said that there cannot be ‘complete ban’ on protests and sit-ins at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, and asked the Centre to form steps for sanctions to such events.

A bench of Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said a balance between right to protest and right of citizens to live peacefully is needed.

“There cannot be a complete ban on holding protests at places like Jantar Mantar and Boat Club (near India Gate),” the bench said and directed the Centre to frame guidelines.

The verdict came following a batch of petitions challenging the decision of National Green Tribunal, which had banned protests at Jantar Mantar and Boat Club.

(With inputs from PTI)