SC Intervenes on Delhi Metro Shutdown Ahead of Jantar Mantar Protest, Calls for Regulated Operations
The Supreme Court has intervened in the shutdown of Delhi Metro and rail services ordered ahead of a planned protest at Jantar Mantar. A 3-Judge Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana noted that police communications directing cessation of Metro trains and Mail/Express trains at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Stations appeared "overreaching" and imposed an excessive restriction on essential public transportation.
The Court recorded the Solicitor General's agreement to urge authorities to reassess the prohibitions with consideration for proportionality and public convenience. It directed that Metro and rail services be operated in a "suitable and regulated manner" rather than facing an outright ban, and that such decisions be widely publicized to prevent public inconvenience.
The Court also instructed authorities to identify suitable protest sites equipped with basic amenities for peaceful and lawful demonstrations, and sought compliance within 4 days. The order responded to police communications dated October 8-9 that had directed closure of 57 Metro stations and cancellation of train services to manage anticipated crowd movement.
