CJI Surya Kant steps in to secure release of lawyers detained in Delhi protest

What happened near the Supreme Court

Lawyers detained by police during protests near the Supreme Court on Saturday were released following a verbal intervention by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.

Speaking from out of town, Chief Justice Kant confirmed his direct involvement after bar associations and law officers raised urgent concerns over the detentions. "Yes, on my verbal intervention, I believe they have been released. I am out of town," he told news agency ANI.

The detentions took place amid a heavy security operation across Delhi ahead of a planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

How the CJI was alerted

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) moved quickly on Saturday, sending a formal letter and resolution to the Chief Justice urging his immediate intervention. Honorary Secretary Pragya Baghel requested that authorities ascertain the whereabouts and safety of all detained advocates, grant immediate legal assistance, and release those held without lawful grounds.

The SCBA, alongside the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, formally apprised the Chief Justice of the situation. Chief Justice Kant subsequently spoke with authorities to ensure the lawyers were released.

SCBA President Pradeep Rai later publicly thanked the Chief Justice for his swift action. Rai said he had also spoken directly to Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma, who assured him that according to available police records no lawyer had been detained, and pledged that anyone found in custody would be set free immediately once details were provided.

The wider security crackdown in Delhi

The detentions occurred against the backdrop of a massive police deployment across the capital. Delhi Police had refused permission for the CJP protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over electoral roll revisions, citing inadequate notice and compliance issues during a previous demonstration.

In response, police deployed more than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel, barricaded key roads, and closed 45 metro stations. By noon on Saturday, police had detained more than 500 people across Delhi, including CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke upon his arrival at the airport from Mumbai, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, and several opposition figures and activists.

Opposition leaders condemned the police action, with AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal describing the situation in the capital as worse than the Emergency. The CJP had called the demonstration over alleged voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.