Closure of India Gate lawn; HC seeks replies from MHA, police

The Delhi High Court today asked the Centre and the city police to respond to a plea seeking reopening of India Gate lawn and adjacent parking lots for common public.
Justice Manmohan directed the Home Ministry and the Delhi Police Commissioner to file by January 27 their replies to the petition which has also sought quashing of the city police's "verbal" order to close the India Gate premises.
The court was hearing the petition filed by advocate Dhananjai Jain seeking a direction to refrain Delhi Police from "illegally closing the premises of India Gate parking and also lawns for the public at large".

The plea, which referred to a reply received under the RTI, alleged the police failed to point out any written order in this regard and rather said that the area has been kept out of bounds of common public on oral instructions of some officers following the blasts in Hyderabad during February, 2013.
"Respondent no. 1 (the Delhi Police Commissioner) has made verbal orders for closure of India Gate for public, which is a clear violation of the fundamental rights under Articles 21 ...Of the Constitution, guranteed to every citizen," it said.
It further said the area has always been open for the public.

"The Delhi Government has itself thrown open invitation to the public at large at this place for public recreation and tourist spot but the same has virtually been made out bounds for everybody," the petition said.