Supreme Court Questions Delhi Metro Closures Ahead of Planned Protests

The Supreme Court noted on Friday that peaceful protest is a fundamental right while questioning the sweeping shutdown of Delhi ahead of demonstrations calling for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stated that the bench's main worry is the daily travel trouble faced by ordinary commuters, workers, and senior citizens due to public transport disruptions and station shutdowns.

Transport and Security

For security reasons, several Delhi Metro stations will shut their entry and exit gates starting at 9 p.m. on October 9 and remain closed through October 10 until further notice, though interchange options stay open everywhere except at the New Delhi station. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the restrictions by outlining prior incidents from an earlier 17-day protest where more than 200 police officers were hurt, women officers faced molestation, and internet services were restricted around Raisina Road. Senior Advocate N. Hariharan pointed out that barricades block roads completely, leaving no paths for cars. Solicitor General Mehta replied that the court's observations regarding commuter difficulties will be communicated to the government.

Political Protests and Counter-Demonstrations

Opposition leaders of the INDIA bloc plan to meet President Droupadi Murmu at 8 p.m. on Friday to demand the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged flaws in the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists. Ahead of the planned October 10 protest by the Cockroach Janta Party at Jantar Mantar, CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka stated that co-in-charge Deepak Baliyan was detained in Rajasthan, with thousands more volunteers held in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke criticized train cancellations heading to the capital, remarking that the government should shut down the entire nation if it fears young people. Meanwhile, a satirical counter-group named the Lal Hit Janata Party gathered at Janpath on Friday to protest against abusive language directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and police personnel during earlier rallies. Separately, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused Rahul Gandhi and foreign partners of trying to spread chaos in India.

Context

Supreme Court interventions during major public demonstrations often focus on balancing law enforcement security measures with the constitutional freedom of movement for everyday citizens. Major political protests in the national capital frequently trigger extensive police barricading and public transport adjustments to manage large crowds and prevent civil unrest. Designated protest venues like Jantar Mantar serve as standard focal points for political demonstrations in New Delhi.