New Delhi, Oct. 16 -- The Supreme Court on Friday said it would consider awarding compensation to traders in Delhi's Connaught Place if it finds they were unlawfully deprived of business due to the Tiranga protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a plea by the Delhi Kirana Committee and the Delhi Iron and Hardware Merchant Association seeking urgent intervention over the protests and the closure of Central Park.
Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai, appearing for the traders, told the court that the demonstrations were causing daily business losses of Rs 200 crore to Rs 250 crore. He also referred to a New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) notice issued on Thursday night announcing the closure of Central Park in Connaught Place.
Justice Bagchi, however, said the Delhi High Court had already dealt with related matters and the Supreme Court would not intervene immediately. He observed that the concerns of protesters, traders and authorities responsible for maintaining law and order were interconnected.
Dehadrai pressed for an urgent hearing, citing the approaching festive season, including Karva Chauth, Dussehra and Diwali, when traders depend on business for their livelihoods.
The CJI said the earliest the plea could be listed was October 26, when the court reopens after the Dussehra recess. He acknowledged the difficulties that restrictions could cause small shopkeepers and street vendors during the festive period.
Justice Bagchi said the court would examine whether the restrictions were disproportionate and, if it found that traders had been unlawfully deprived of business, consider compensation under its constitutional tort jurisdiction. The Bench declined to advance the hearing.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.