Citing 'serious situation' amid CJP protests, NDTA has ordered closure of shops in Connaught Place. In view of the serious situation around Connaught Place, based on the advice of Chairman and Vice Chairman of NDMC and telephonic conversation, it has been strictly instructed that all shops and institutions (including offices and restaurants) in Connaught Place should be closed till 6:30 pm today i.e. 23rd July 2026.
New Delhi Traders Association has advised, saying, 'All establishment owners/occupiers are requested to cooperate and strictly follow the instructions, so that any untoward situation can be avoided and to keep themselves safe from incidents like loss of property or injury.'
Association representatives said that this advisory has been issued after receiving information from NDMC regarding overcrowding in and around Connaught Place. Describing it as a precautionary measure, he said that the purpose of premature closure of shops is to ensure public safety and prevent any untoward incident.
In fact, earlier on Wednesday evening, violence had erupted again near Tolstoy Marg in Connaught Place, when miscreants threw stones and bottles at policemen. ACP (Connaught Place) Vivek Bhagat was injured in this incident and was admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Keeping these incidents in mind, an order has been issued to close the shops of Connaught Place.
This advisory has been issued amid protests by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy. This order has come at a time when security has been tightened in Central Delhi as the Chief Justice agitation continues and protesters have gathered demanding the resignation of the Chief Justice. At the same time, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has alleged heavy security deployment in the area and raised questions over the way the Center was handling the protests.
Kejriwal said through a post on social media platform X (Twitter), 'Order to close all shops in Connaught Place by 6:30 pm today and tight security arrangements. Long queues of ambulances. Will the Central Government once again attack its students at Jantar Mantar today?'.
