Supreme Court orders free movement, restores Delhi Metro and internet amid mass detentions

Supreme Court on Sunday ordered that peaceful gatherings in Delhi must not be illegally detained and directed that metro and internet services resume normal operation. Bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure Delhi Metro runs on schedule and internet remains uninterrupted, subject to law‑and‑order conditions. The order came after applications alleging violation of the court’s October 9 direction and reports of large‑scale illegal detention on October 10. Police had detained nearly 2,500 protesters on Saturday and about 1,000 more in preventive operations overnight ahead of the protest day. Left‑leaning student groups were among those arrested while trying to march in central Delhi on Sunday. The United Nations Human Rights Commissioner’s office expressed concern over the mass detentions, a statement the government rejected. Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) was allegedly seized and assaulted by CRPF personnel while speaking to media on Sunday. CPI(M) posted a video showing Brittas being placed in an autorickshaw by police after the incident. Delhi Police registered 20 FIRs related to the Saturday protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, including a case at Kamla Market police station where four men said to be linked to the Hindu Raksha Dal were arrested for assaulting students and manhandling women. CJP co‑convener Saurav Das claimed the police entered an aircraft and kidnapped protesters, denied them lawyer access, and warned of an “emergency‑like” situation. Founder Abhijeet Dipke left senior advocate Kapil Sibal’s residence to return home after his grandmother’s death, saying Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das would address a press conference on the party’s next steps.

Context

The ruling comes as the Cockroach Janata Party continues protests over alleged electoral roll irregularities and follows earlier court interventions to curb police excesses. The UN’s concern highlights international scrutiny of India’s handling of mass demonstrations.