Supreme Court warns of intervention as Connaught Place traders face ₹250 crore daily losses

The Supreme Court warned on Friday that it could intervene using its constitutional powers if recurring demonstrations and resulting security curbs continue to damage businesses in New Delhi's Connaught Place.

The warning followed an urgent plea from merchant associations, who told the court that businesses in the central retail district are losing more than ₹250 crore every day. The disruptions come just as the capital enters its most profitable retail period, with Karva Chauth, Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhath approaching.

What the Supreme Court said

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi underscored the pressing need to preserve commercial stability and ensure law and order. The court observed that the economic livelihoods of shopkeepers, hawkers, and small vendors must be safeguarded from recurring disruptions.

"Some actions may be needed. Some directions. We know that all small shopkeepers, hawkers and stall owners earn their livelihood during these days. And we know the hardship, difficulty and crisis faced by their entire families," Chief Justice Surya Kant said.

Justice Bagchi pointed out the competing interests that the administration and judiciary must navigate, balancing public assembly rights with commerce and city administration.

"Someone wants to protest, someone wants to sell moongfali (peanuts), someone wants to maintain law and order. All are there before us," Justice Bagchi observed, adding that the bench would not hesitate to act: "We told you, there is ample jurisdiction evolved by this Court under compensation and public law. We will act."

Impact on festive commerce

Appearing for the traders, advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai argued that central Delhi's retail core is facing unsustainable losses because of recurring agitations and the necessary security arrangements that follow. Beyond Connaught Place, trade bodies estimate broader retail and wholesale deficits across Delhi at between ₹2,000 crore and ₹3,000 crore on peak disruption days, with falling footfalls hitting shops burdened by high commercial rents and wage bills.

Administrative measures to secure public order

To prevent unrest and maintain smooth movement across the capital's central hub, civic authorities and law enforcement stepped up administrative precautions. The New Delhi Municipal Council closed Central Park to the public on 16 and 17 October for administrative reasons ahead of a planned 'Lehra Do Tiranga' demonstration called by the Cockroach Janta Party.

Delhi Police confirmed that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita were put in place across Connaught Place and surrounding zones. While retail markets remained open, targeted traffic and access regulations were deployed to keep the high-security district secure.

CJP organiser Abhijeet Dipke claimed on social media that peaceful demonstrations do not harm commerce, asserting that government movement curbs and security measures were responsible for slowing economic activity. The Supreme Court, however, maintained that commercial life and public order remain paramount, keeping the door open to direct judicial intervention if unlawful disruption persists.