Supreme Court Expresses Concerns Over Delhi Metro Shutdown : Live Updates
The Supreme Court on Friday expressed serious concerns over the shutting down of metro stations in Delhi ahead of the October 10 protests announced by the CJP and opposition parties in Delhi against the Chief Election Commissioner.
The Court observed that the total shutdown of the services would affect the rights of citizens who are entitled to avail the services.
A bench comprising Chief Jsutice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymlayla Bagchi and Justice V Mohana was hearing the petitions challenging the curbs imposed in Delhi.
Live updates can be followed here.
BREAKING | Solicitor General Tushar Mehta tells CJI Surya Kant's bench that the competent authority will consider designating place other than Jantar Mantar for peaceful protests
Order: Parties agree that it's high time that some other place with amenities for peaceful protestors need to be identified and designated. Let competent authority consider the suggestion and take appropriate decision.
#BREAKING Supreme Court ask Centre to take an appropriate decision on reconsidering Jantar Mantar as the designated protest venue, and re-designate another location.
SC passes this direction after Solicitor General said Centre will consider re-designating another site.
Order: A copy of order dt. 23.08.2026 passed by Asst. Commissioner of Police in purported exercise of [...] and S.163 of BNSS issuing certain directions has been referred to. We notice from the contents of orders dt. 8 oct and [...] that metro stations and rail/express trains to certain Delhi stations were ordered to be stopped/cancelled in light of the "likelihood" of movement towards sensitive areas...these orders operate from 9 October. We accorded liberty to organizers of the protest to submit urgent petitions before this court. It is however fairly stated that counsels don't represent the organizers. In light of this, limited issue falling for consideration is whether complete stoppage of trains/metros require reconsideration. It having been suggested from our side that there is a distinction between completion prohibition and regulation, ld. SG has fairly agreed to impress upon authorities to reconsider prohibition and allow movement of trains/metro in such a regulated manner that no inconvenience is caused to citizenry of Delhi keeping in mind the principles of proportionality. We make it clear that there shall be no complete prohibition on movement of metro. A considered decision may be taken to allow metro and other rails in aptly regulated manner so that no inconvenience is caused to public at large and such decision shall be given wide publicity. Advisory to also be published in newspaper and on websites so that no hardship is caused to public while travelling inside the city
Order: A copy of order dt. 23.08.2026 passed by Asst. Commissioner of Police in purported exercise of [...] and S.163 of BNSS issuing certain directions has been referred to. We notice from the contents of orders dt. 8 oct and [...] that metro stations and rail/express trains to certain Delhi stations were ordered to be stopped/cancelled in light of the "likelihood" of movement towards sensitive areas...these orders operate from 9 October. We accorded liberty to organizers of the protest to submit urgent petitions before this court. It is however fairly stated that counsels don't represent the organizers. In light of this, limited issue falling for consideration is whether complete stoppage of trains/metros require reconsideration. It having been suggested from our side that there is a distinction between completion prohibition and regulation, ld. SG has fairly agreed to impress upon authorities to reconsider prohibition and allow movement of trains/metro in such a regulated manner that no inconvenience is caused to citizenry of Delhi keeping in mind the principles of proportionality. We make it clear that there shall be no complete prohibition on movement of metro. A considered decision may be taken to allow metro and other rails in aptly regulated manner so that no inconvenience is caused to public at large and such decision shall be given wide publicity. Advisory to also be published in newspaper and on websites so that no hardship is caused to public while travelling inside the city.
Singh: They have got 23000 personnel...they can control [crowd]
Nedumpara: If I was the Attorney General, these petitions would never have been filed.
Gopal S -That's why you will never be the Attorney General.
Singh: They have got 23000 personnel...they can control [crowd]
Nedumpara: If I was the Attorney General, these petitions would never have been filed.
Gopal S -That's why you will never be the Attorney General.
SG: My worry as law officer...some leeway has to be given to agencies given how situation develops
Grover: there are announcements. Police in PGs telling people to not step out...that kind of environment of fear
Gopal SPolice has no business to come tell us don't go to protest
J Bagchi: we are never saying we don't respect right to protest...we will pass the order to access facilities/movement
Bhushan: Question of movement involves a question of whtether they can come stay in hotels etc.
SG: I don't have any pleading. Whatever comes to his mind
Sibal: Hotels are being told don't register customers.
Sr Av CU Singh -There is no concept of anticipatory stoppage of citizens as a whole. Stoppage of trains at all! Police is there to keep law and order
CJI: This issue we have considered. Stopping completely and regulating are different. Regulating is understandable. But complete stoppage [cant be].
SG: My worry as law officer...some leeway has to be given to agencies given how situation develops
Grover: there are announcements. Police in PGs telling people to not step out...that kind of environment of fear
Gopal SPolice has no business to come tell us don't go to protest
J Bagchi: we are never saying we don't respect right to protest...we will pass the order to access facilities/movement
Bhushan: Question of movement involves a question of whtether they can come stay in hotels etc.
SG: I don't have any pleading. Whatever comes to his mind
Sibal: Hotels are being told don't register customers.
Sr Av CU Singh -There is no concept of anticipatory stoppage of citizens as a whole. Stoppage of trains at all! Police is there to keep law and order
CJI: This issue we have considered. Stopping completely and regulating are different. Regulating is understandable. But complete stoppage [cant be].
Nedumpara: purely political isseus
Sibal: Ramlila Maidan taken away
Bhushan: If they were denying Jantar Mantar, they could have given permission for Ramlila Maidan. Not done
SG: if somebody becomes ill there, ambulance can get there with difficulty
Sibal: Jantar Mantar is a designated site
CJI: There are govt residences there. Some MPs stay in front lane there. Lots of problems even to protestors. They are denied toilets there.
J Bagchi : We are taking cognizance of railways notice and metro issue
SG: Depending on situation. We do not know
J Bagchi: Closure in metro notice appears to sit uncomfortably with frequency reduction. All gates closed from 9 PM. Closure amounts to prohibition. That too until further orders. Regulate movements of trains but don't stop it altogether
SG: But sometimes if situation so demands, complet stoppage can also be a proportionate measure.
J Bagchi: right, it depends on the number of hours and on entirety.