CP Central Park shut: NDMC after court refuses to restrain Dipke from holding protest tomorrow

The Central Park in Delhi’s Connaught Place will remain closed to the public on October 16 and 17 due to “administrative reasons”, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) said in a notice issued on Thursday.Abhijeet Dipke called for a ‘Tiranga March’ at Central Park in Delhi’s Connaught Place on October 16. (AFP)The closure comes ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) scheduled 'Lehra do Tiranga' march at the park on Friday, October 16. Track Delhi protests live hereIn a notice, the civic body said, “It is hereby informed that the Central Park, Connaught Place, shall remain closed for general public on 16th October 2026 & 17th October 2026, due to administrative reasons.”The notice was issued by the NDMC director. The park will reopen to the public after the two-day closure.Delhi High Court refuses to restrain CJP marchThe development came hours after the Delhi High Court declined to pass an order preventing CJP and Dipke from holding the protest. The court recorded the Delhi Police’s assurance that it would take all possible measures, in accordance with the law, to regulate the gathering and maintain order.ALSO READ | Abhijeet Dipke free to hold protest at Connaught Place tomorrow, Delhi Police assures HC of vigilanceThe court was hearing a petition filed by a street vendor at Palika Bazar. He raised concerns that the proposed demonstration could disrupt commercial activity in Connaught Place and affect the livelihoods of traders and vendors, particularly during the festive season.The matter has been posted for further hearing on November 3.Why is CJP planning the march?Dipke called for the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march to protest the arrest of CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. The two activists were sent to five days of judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail following their arrest for allegedly trespassing in Jantar Mantar and waving the Tricolour.CJP members allegedly breached barricades and raised slogans demanding the resignation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police cited alleged violations of prohibitory orders in connection with the arrests.Dipke has maintained that waving the national flag is not a crime and asked supporters to organise similar marches in other cities. The proposed gathering comes amid protests by opposition parties, student groups and activists over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Election Commission has denied allegations that the exercise was intended to favour the ruling BJP.Jantar Mantar denotified as protest siteThe proposed demonstration comes days after the Delhi Police denotified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site and identified three alternative venues for demonstrations: Ramlila Maidan in central Delhi, Burari Ground in north Delhi and CBD Ground in Shahdara in east Delhi.The decision followed an October 9 Supreme Court order calling for suitable alternative locations where people could exercise their right to protest without compromising public safety. Delhi Police informed the Delhi High Court about the denotification on October 12.Security arrangements under discussionDelhi Police officials have been reviewing security arrangements for the proposed march, including possible traffic restrictions and diversions in Connaught Place and other parts of central Delhi. The preparations follow earlier demonstrations that led to detentions and restrictions around protest sites in the capital.