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Delhi Traders Approach Supreme Court Against Protests Impacting Festive Business
- •The Delhi Kirana Committee and Delhi Iron and Hardware Merchants Association filed a writ petition under Article 32 to protect traders' livelihoods and market access during the festive season.
- •Protests and road blockades in Delhi are estimated to cause a daily business loss of over 250 crore rupees.
- •The petition seeks to prevent disruptions in major commercial hubs like Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Connaught Place, and Khan Market from October 2026 to January 2027.
- •CAIT emphasized that the petition does not curtail the right to peaceful protest, but aims to strike a balance between protests and fundamental livelihood rights.
- •Over 10 lakh commercial establishments in Delhi support the livelihoods of more than one crore people, making uninterrupted business crucial during the festive and wedding season.
Key Questions Answered
On October 18, 2026, the Delhi Kirana Committee and the Delhi Iron and Hardware Merchants Association filed a writ petition under Article 32 to protect traders' livelihoods and secure uninterrupted access to major commercial hubs amid ongoing festive-season protests.
Petitioner advocates and trade bodies informed the Supreme Court that continuous demonstrations and disruptions in Delhi cause an estimated daily business loss exceeding ₹250 crore.
The petition requests directions to keep major commercial hubs like Chandni Chowk and Connaught Place unhindered from October 2026 to January 2027, designate protest sites away from markets, regulate protest timings, and establish a Standard Operating Procedure to balance peaceful assembly rights with business access.
