The Supreme Court on Sunday, October 11, directed authorities to ensure that people participating in peaceful gatherings are not illegally detained and that Delhi Metro services operate according to their normal schedule. The court also called for uninterrupted internet services, subject to applicable law and legitimate law-and-order requirements.
A bench comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued notice to the Centre on a contempt petition alleging violations of the Supreme Court’s October 9 order concerning restrictions on metro and train services in Delhi ahead of protests called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student organisations.
The court held a special sitting to hear urgent applications alleging that its earlier directions had been violated and that large numbers of people were illegally detained during protests on October 10.
The applications alleged disruptions to metro services, the closure of New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations, the absence of traffic advisories and the harassment and detention of people beyond areas covered by prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
During the hearing, the bench asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure that metro services followed their normal schedule and that lawyers, journalists and other professionals were not prevented from performing their duties.
Mehta informed the court that entry and exit restrictions had been imposed at only 45 of Delhi Metro’s 303 stations on Saturday.
The Supreme Court also considered a habeas corpus petition filed by senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy concerning the detention of political leaders.
The contempt petition was filed by advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi, naming Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation chairperson D. Thara as respondents.
The court’s October 9 order had been issued while hearing a separate petition challenging the closure of 57 metro stations and the cancellation of trains to Delhi ahead of the planned demonstration.
The protests were organised by the CJP and several student groups against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission.
On Saturday, authorities detained more than 7,000 protesters during a major security operation that prevented the planned mobilisation at Jantar Mantar. Those detained reportedly included CJP leader Abhijit Dipke, opposition leaders and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee.