India, Oct. 16 -- The Supreme Court on Friday warned it would invoke its constitutional tort jurisdiction to award compensation if protests in Delhi disproportionately impede traders and daily-wage earners from pursuing their livelihoods, as it expressed concern over the hardship faced by small businesses during the festive season.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi made the remarks after a plea raised concerns over the proposed gathering at Central Park in Connaught Place by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), while hoping that "better sense will prevail" and that the competing interests of protesters, traders and the authorities would be balanced.

"If there is loss of business, if it is unlawful to your c...