The closure of the Supreme Court Metro station in the wake of the ongoing student protests was raised before the Supreme Court on Thursday by Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Vikas Singh, who urged that at least lawyers, litigants and court staff with valid access to the apex court be permitted to use the station.

Mentioning the issue before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Singh said that persons holding valid Supreme Court entry passes, along with Registry staff, should be allowed to exit at the Supreme Court Metro station after appropriate security screening.

"In the metro, there is one advantage that when they come out of the train, there is an exit point. There they can be screened. People having proximity cards, and Registry staff, can be permitted to come out, and the rest can be told to take the other train and go. So people will be able to use the train also," Singh submitted.

Responding to the concern, the CJI said that the Supreme Court administration had already been asked to take up the matter with the Metro authorities. He further assured the Bar that if the issue remained unresolved, he would personally step in.

"I have informed them in the morning. It is up to them to talk to the authorities. He is exploring this also as one of the solutions. By lunchtime, if there is a solution, that is fine. Otherwise, if my intervention is required, I will do," the CJI observed. The Chief Justice said that the solution proposed by Singh has also been suggested as an option. Singh said that if there was no solution, then the issue be considered on the judicial side.

The CJI also informed that he has issued a circular that no adverse orders be passed due to the absence of lawyers.

The Delhi Metro this morning announced the closure of 16 metro stations, including the Supreme Court metro station, until further orders.