Cops oppose plea to open India Gate for public

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police on Monday opposed in the high court a plea seeking reopening of India Gate lawns and adjacent parking lots for the public. The police said that the decision was taken owing to "security concerns."

Justice Manmohan then asked the cops to file a reply within four weeks. HC pointed out that the response, received from the police under the RTI Act by the petitioner, failed to cite the reason for keeping the area closed.

"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 Union home ministry said he did not wish to file its response.

The court had on June 6 issued notice to the police and MHA on the petition filed by a lawyer seeking a direction to stop Delhi Police from "illegally closing the premises of India Gate parking and also lawns for the public". The plea has sought quashing of the police's "verbal" order.