SC Orders Free Movement, Normal Metro Services in Delhi; Seeks Reply on Yesterday’s Shutdown

The Supreme Court on Sunday issued notice to authorities over a contempt petition challenging the closure of Metro stations and restrictions imposed during Saturday’s protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The court reportedly directed the alleged contemnors to file affidavits responding to the contempt petition and submit a compliance report on its earlier directions.

A special bench comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana heard petitions concerning the closure of Metro stations, restrictions on public movement, internet connectivity and the preventive detention of political leaders and protesters, as per the report by Live Law.

The court also directed the authorities to reconsider an earlier Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) notification concerning the closure of 57 Metro stations, issue fresh traffic advisories to facilitate the free movement of vehicles and submit a compliance affidavit.

The next hearing on the matter was scheduled for October 13.

Authorities Asked to Respond to Contempt Petition

In its order, the court directed the authorities to file affidavits in response to the contempt petition and submit a compliance report in accordance with its earlier directions.

The order also stated that other petitions that had not yet been listed would be served on the Solicitor General’s office during the day. These petitions would be tagged with the existing contempt proceedings and writ petition.

During the hearing, the Solicitor General suggested that the court issue notice rather than direct the authorities to show cause why contempt proceedings should not be initiated. The court subsequently directed the alleged contemnors to file affidavits responding to the petition.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan told the bench that he had served copies of both petitions on Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

The court noted that lawyers had strongly sought interim relief to ensure the smooth operation of Metro services, traffic movement and internet connectivity, along with the free movement of people, particularly lawyers, journalists and other professionals.

Court Directs Reconsideration of Metro Station Closures

The Supreme Court directed the authorities concerned to revisit the earlier DMRC notification on the closure of 57 Metro stations.

The order stated that Metro operations and other railway services could be regulated where necessary but should not be prohibited in inappropriate circumstances. Authorities were directed to publish their reconsidered decision.

The court also ordered fresh traffic advisories concerning the free movement of vehicles and called for a compliance affidavit.

During the hearing, the Solicitor General disputed allegations that Metro services remained suspended. He told the bench that the Metro was functioning normally, although entry points at 45 of its 303 stations had been closed.

Mehta further submitted that all Metro stations had been open since 10 pm on Saturday, train services were operating normally and internet connectivity had been restored.

Sibal Raises Concerns Over Restrictions and Detentions

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal told the court that people were being picked up from trains and locations beyond a four-kilometre radius of the protest site. He also raised concerns over the suspension of internet services and the closure of 45 Metro stations, alleging that the restrictions continued despite court orders.

Sibal referred to the Anuradha Bhasin case in connection with the internet suspension and sought interim relief.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan urged the bench to direct the immediate restoration of free movement, removal of barricades and resumption of Metro services. He also questioned changes to train services and raised concerns about police personnel operating without identification badges.

Guruswamy Raises Mass Detention Concerns

Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy told the court that journalists and others had been taken to multiple holding centres across Delhi. She argued that her habeas corpus petition concerning illegal detention was not limited to the political leaders named in it, but also raised concerns over widespread detentions.

Guruswamy cited reports of around 7,000 people being detained and said the state had not provided official figures. She also argued that the closure of Metro stations and suspension of internet services had affected citizens’ ability to move freely and exercise their right to peaceful protest.

Senior advocate Farasat, representing the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Records Association, described the situation during Saturday’s demonstrations as “remarkably suppressive”.

“The sense I got — yesterday, we were one step away from a police state,” he told the court, urging it to restore citizens’ right to peaceful protest.

Justice Bagchi acknowledged the concerns over detentions and stressed that the right to life and liberty was equally important. He also said police officers did not have an individual right to maintain law and order independently of the state.

The petitions follow Saturday’s demonstrations against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for accountability from the Election Commission. The court’s directions address the restrictions on transport and movement, while requiring authorities to respond to the contempt allegations and report compliance with its orders.