- Connaught Place establishments ordered to close by 6:30 PM.
- Decision linked to CJP's ongoing NEET paper leak protest.
- Arvind Kejriwal warns of potential government action against protesters.
Shops, offices and restaurants in Delhi's Connaught Place have been ordered to shut early on Thursday after the New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) issued an advisory citing a "critical situation" around the commercial hub. The decision comes amid ongoing protests by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over the NEET UG paper leak, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Connaught Place Shops To Close By 6:30 PM
The advisory was issued following telephonic directions from the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). The notice, signed by NDTA President Atul Bhargava, asks shops, offices and restaurants owners in Connaught Place to close by 6:30 pm today. The traders' association have urged them to cooperate and follow the instructions.
"As advised by the Chairman NDMC and Vice Chairman NDMC, telephonically, looking at the critical situation around CP, it is has been strictly advised that all shops and establishments, including offices and restaurants, in Connaught Place, New Delhi, shall close for the day by 6.30 pm, today that is 23.07.2026,” the advisory read.
It added, “All establishment owners/occupiers are requested to cooperate and ensure strict compliance with the above directions to avoid any unpleasant situation and save yourself from any loss of property and injury.”
New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) has issued an urgent advisory directing all shops, offices and restaurants in Connaught Place to close by 6:30 pm on July 23, 2026, stating that the decision follows advice from the NDMC Chairman and Vice Chairman in view of a “critical… pic.twitter.com/leoI4L85Ag
— ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2026
Arvind Kejriwal Questions The Order
Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal reacted to the closure order, questioning the government’s handling of the protests. Sharing the advisory, he wrote on X, “Orders to close all shops in Connaught Place by 6:30 PM this evening. Intense security. Piles of ambulances. Will the Modi government once again brutally attack its own children at Jantar Mantar today?”
कनाट प्लेस की सभी दुकानों को आज शाम 6.30 pm बंद करने के आदेश।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 23, 2026
जबरदस्त सिक्योरिटी। ढेर सारी एम्बुलेंस। क्या मोदी सरकार आज फिर जंतर मंतर पर अपने बच्चों पर बर्बर हमला करेगी? pic.twitter.com/3zEnT6yLUf
Abhijeet Dipke Leaves Jantar Mantar
Meanwhile, CJP chief Abhijeet Dipke, who has been protesting at Jantar Mantar for over a month, fell ill, after which he took a short break from the agitation site on Thursday. He shared about his health condition in a post on X. Dipke wrote, “I’ve been down with a fever and severe body pain for the last few days, but I’ve been pushing through with painkillers. My apologies if you don’t see me at Jantar Mantar today. I need to get a few hours of rest and recover. Will be back at the protest site by evening."