The Delhi Police told the Delhi High Court on Thursday (October 15) that it will take "appropriate steps" against Cockroach Janta Party leader Abhijeet Dipke who has called for a protest on Friday at Central Delhi's Connaught Place.

The court was hearing a plea by Anil Kumar Gupta, licensed street vendor who has sold readymade garments at Palika Bazar, claiming that the protest will affect rights of traders and businessmen.

For context, Dipke has called for a nationwide 'Lehra do Tiranga' demonstration tomorrow, urging citizens to gather with the national flag. The matter was listed today after urgent mentioning was allowed.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma said:

"Counsel for the Petitioner in this petition has apprehended that conduct of respondent no 6 (CJP through Dipke) is likely to disturb business activity in CP area. We are informed that respondent no 6 is already served on email. When confronted, ASG assures that apprehension of petitioner shall be taken care of as the respondents have already taken action to control and regulate the activities of respondent no 6 and all possible measures under the law will be taken. The assurance is taken on record. Post the matter for further consideration on November 03.

During the hearing, senior advocate Sachin Puri appearing for the petitioner submitted that he was seeking a direction against tomorrow's protest which is at a site (Connaught Place) which is not designated.

"In heart of CP, (it) will block entire CP. This is not about Jantar Mantar. They may ensure that protest doesn't take place and movement is not stopped," he said.

Meanwhile Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma appearing for Delhi Police submitted that "given pattern of lawlessness", the petitioner's probably have apprehensions and their concern is about 15 Lakh traders whose trade and business activity will be affected.

Puri said, "Respondent no 6 (CJP) has called an illegal march. This is festival weekend. We will be completely on street. CJP's (Abhijeet) Dipke he be directly restrained. He comes from outside Delhi. If this weekend also goes, it will be over for us. This is major Hindu festival"

At this stage when the court asked that the petitioner's were saying that police have not taken any action against Dipke, the ASG said, "we will take".

He has contended that he has filed the plea on behalf of the street vendors, daily wage earners and other small traders of Jantar Mantar and the adjoining areas of Central Delhi, whose livelihood is repeatedly brought to a standstill by agitations at and around Jantar Mantar and by the barricading and traffic diversions.

Gupta has submitted that he does not oppose anyone's right to protest at a designated venue in accordance with law but only seeks strict enforcement of the law established and an order passed by the Supreme Court on October 11 directing that no protest, dharna or gathering be permitted at Jantar Mantar or in the area around it in Central Delhi; traffic and pedestrian access plan for Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street and the adjoining roads and with barricades and diversions limited to what is strictly necessary.

The plea also seeks a time-bound revised SOPs for the new designated venues so that protests there do not block the surrounding roads; that street vendors of the area be not evicted, nor their goods seized, except in accordance with the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014.

(Compiled by Malavika Prasad)