India Gate lawns closed due to security concerns: Police to HC

City police today opposed in the Delhi High Court the plea seeking reopening of India Gate lawns and adjacent parking lots for common public, saying that the decision was taken owing to "security concerns".
"You (Delhi Police) file a reply to the petition within four weeks," Justice Manmohan said, adding the response, received from the police under the Right to Information Act, did not cite the reason which has been stated now in the court.
"In the RTI reply, you said that it was closed following an oral order. You file a reply," the court said and fixed the matter for further hearing on April 23.

The counsel for the Ministry of Home Affairs said that he did not wish to file its response in the case.
The court had on June 6 issued notice to the police and MHA on the plea of 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 has sought quashing of the city police's "verbal" order to close the India Gate premises.

The petition, which referred to a reply received under RTI, alleged that the police failed to point out any written order in this regard and rather said the area has been kept out of bounds for the common public on oral instructions of some officers following the blasts in Hyderabad in 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.