New Delhi, October 11 (Daily Kiran) : The Supreme Court has issued a notice to Delhi government officials for allegedly violating its order regarding the operation of metro services. This action follows the closure of multiple metro stations during protests organized by the “Cockroach People’s Party” (CJP) on October 10. Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohan, presiding over a special hearing, have mandated that officials submit a compliance report by October 13 detailing the restrictions on metro services and railway advisories.
The court has questioned why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against the officials for shutting down metro stations during the protests. On October 10, a total of 45 metro stations were closed, primarily in central Delhi, in anticipation of protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
In response to the metro shutdowns and the detention of key opposition figures, several petitions were filed in the Supreme Court. The primary case was brought forth by lawyer Shailendra Mani Tripathi against Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Chairperson D. Thara. The petition alleged that despite the Supreme Court’s directive on October 9 that public transport should remain operational during protests, metro services were halted.
During a hearing on Friday, Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, alongside Justices Bagchi and Mohan, emphasized that metro train services should not be completely suspended ahead of the planned protests.
In addition to Tripathi’s petition, a separate plea was filed by senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, representing Trinamool Congress MP, challenging the preventive detention of opposition leaders, including four former chief ministers, during the protests. The petition raised concerns about individual freedom and the right to peaceful assembly.
Guruswamy claimed that over 7,000 individuals, including student leaders, journalists, and political figures, were detained. She argued that preventive detention should not be used to suppress the fundamental right to peaceful protest.
The bench, led by Justice Bagchi, was informed that around 150 lawyers had been detained after gathering outside the Supreme Court, with reports of some police officers lacking identification badges.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that authorities possess documents and videos showing that some of those detained were released by 6 PM the same day.
While hearing the petitions, the court instructed officials to ensure that metro and railway services operate normally unless public order necessitates restrictions. The court further directed that people’s movement in the city should not be hindered and called for an immediate review of barricades based on law and order conditions.
Justice Bagchi’s bench acknowledged that metro services had resumed and internet connectivity restored, recording the assurance that these services would continue to function normally.
The court also mandated that internet services remain uninterrupted and clarified that it was not diminishing the powers of officials under the Information Technology Act.
Highlighting the need to safeguard access to justice, the Supreme Court stated that lawyers should not face any hindrance in performing their professional duties. Mehta assured the court that lawyers would be allowed to carry out their work without obstruction.
Furthermore, the court instructed that no one should be unlawfully detained without following due legal process and ordered the removal of a board outside the Supreme Court stating that Section 163 of the Indian Citizens Security Code was in effect.
The court reminded protesters that demonstrations must be conducted peacefully and should not incite others. Justice Mohan urged those present to commit to peaceful protests in the interest of public welfare.
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