Supreme Court orders end to Delhi protest detentions, demands metro and internet restoration
A special Sunday bench tells authorities to stop detaining peaceful demonstrators and restore normal transit and internet operations following a citywide security clampdown.
Supreme Court steps in after citywide crackdown
The Supreme Court has ordered police to stop illegally detaining peaceful protesters in Delhi and instructed central authorities to ensure that metro, railway, and internet services operate without disruption.
In an extraordinary Sunday hearing on 11 October, a bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said that individuals gathering peacefully must not be detained, while lawyers, journalists, and other professionals must be allowed to perform their duties without police interference. The court also called for the removal of barricades across the capital, subject to public order considerations.
The emergency intervention followed a massive security clampdown on Saturday, when police detained more than 7,000 people to block a planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The protest, called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) alongside student groups, demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter-list irregularities.
Contempt notices issued to top officials
Responding to urgent applications alleging flagrant violations of an earlier order issued on 9 October, the top court issued a contempt notice to the central government.
The contempt petition, filed by advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi, names Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation chairperson D Thara. It alleges that authorities flouted judicial directions by shutting down metro stations, closing major rail hubs, and detaining citizens well beyond areas covered by prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the court that entry and exit restrictions were applied at 45 of the 303 stations across the Delhi Metro network on Saturday. The bench instructed Mehta to ensure normal transit schedules resume immediately.
Over 7,000 detained during Jantar Mantar protest
Saturday's crackdown saw a heavy security deployment of 28 battalions, Central Armed Police Forces, and Delhi Police across the capital. Police intercepted protesters travelling by air and train, detaining CJP founder Abhijit Dipke, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, and several opposition leaders before they could reach Jantar Mantar.
Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy also filed a habeas corpus petition seeking details on the detained political leaders and protesters, many of whom were transported away in buses without clear information on where they were being held.
Faith in the justice system
Addressing the court's intervention, Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal said the order restored the faith of the Indian public and legal professionals in the justice system. Sibal had remarked at a press conference a day earlier that he was exhausted by repeatedly approaching the court over electoral process concerns without getting relief.
During Sunday's hearing, the bench remarked that it was determined to restore Sibal’s confidence in the institution, noting that the confidence of senior lawyers remained central to the functioning of the court.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Protesters detained during Saturday crackdown | Over 7,000 | Delhi Police and government authorities cited in court submissions |
| Metro stations restricted on 10 October | 45 out of 303 | Solicitor General Tushar Mehta |
| Security forces deployed for protest | 28 battalions plus CAPF and Delhi Police | Kapil Sibal |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Supreme Court of India | Highest judicial body in India issuing directions to stop illegal detentions and restore services. |
