New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has agreed to urgently hear a petition on Friday challenging the government’s decision to suspend mobile internet services within a 1.5-kilometre radius of Jantar Mantar, where protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) are underway.
The matter has been listed before a division bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, following concerns over the impact of the internet restrictions on residents, commuters and businesses in central Delhi.
Petition Challenges Internet Curbs
The petition questions the legality and necessity of the internet shutdown imposed around the Jantar Mantar protest site, arguing that the restrictions have caused inconvenience to the public while affecting access to essential digital services.
The hearing comes a day after mobile internet services were suspended in parts of central Delhi until midnight, covering areas within a 1.5-km radius of Jantar Mantar.
Internet Suspended After Protest Turns Violent
The suspension followed a clash between protesters and police on Thursday evening.
According to reports, an argument among some protesters escalated into violence at around 8:15 pm to 8:30 pm, with a section of demonstrators allegedly pelting stones at police personnel and attempting to breach barricades.
Police responded with a lathi-charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and restore order. At least one police official was reportedly injured during the incident.
Shortly after the unrest, mobile users in the area began receiving messages from their telecom operators informing them of the internet shutdown.
Telecom Operators Received Government Directions
Industry sources said telecom service providers were instructed by the government to suspend mobile internet services in the designated area.
A message received by users stated that internet services had been suspended in compliance with government orders covering the 1.5-km area surrounding Jantar Mantar.
However, there has been no official confirmation regarding the specific government department that issued the shutdown directive.
Similar Internet Shutdown During Earlier Protest
This is the second internet suspension linked to the ongoing protests by the Cockroach Janta Party.
Earlier, mobile internet services were also suspended in parts of central Delhi during the CJP’s ‘Chalo Parliament’ march on July 20, when thousands of protesters gathered near Jantar Mantar and Parliament.
Telecom companies, including Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea, reportedly implemented the suspension after receiving official instructions from the authorities.
Many users in the affected areas received a message stating:
“As per government instructions, Internet services have been stopped in your area till further notice.”
Residents Raise Concerns
The repeated suspension of internet services has drawn criticism from residents, commuters and businesses operating in central Delhi, who say the restrictions have disrupted communication, digital payments, navigation services and routine work.
The Delhi High Court’s hearing is expected to examine the legality, proportionality and necessity of the internet shutdown imposed during the ongoing protests.
