Delhi High Court orders police to find alternative protest site for bank strike

The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Police to decide on an alternative location for a nationwide bank strike scheduled from September 28 to 30. The bank unions, seeking to implement a five-day banking week, had originally requested permission to protest at Jantar Mantar, but police denied the request citing law and order concerns.

In response to the unions' petition, which alleges that the denial of permission infringes upon their fundamental right to peaceful assembly, Justice Amit Mahajan ordered the police to reach a decision regarding an alternative venue by 4:00 PM on Monday. The court mandated that the police communicate their decision directly to the unions' legal counsel.

The unions stated they had been seeking permission since late August for various locations, including Ramlila Maidan, Rajendra Place, and Dwarka, but faced repeated delays or rejections. One request for a protest in Dwarka was reportedly denied due to the upcoming BRICS summit.