Supreme Court says no complete Metro shutdown in Delhi ahead of 10 October protest
A bench led by the CJI directed that Delhi Metro and rail services not be fully suspended before Saturday's protest against the Chief Election Commissioner, and asked the Centre to consider a new protest venue.
The Supreme Court on Friday, 9 October 2026, directed that Delhi Metro and railway services not be completely suspended ahead of a protest planned for Saturday, 10 October, against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing petitions against the closure of 57 Metro stations and the cancellation of long-distance trains to Delhi, Bar & Bench reported.
What the Court recorded
Recording the Solicitor General’s submission that he would ask the authorities to reconsider the restrictions, the Court said, in the words of its order as reported by Bar & Bench: “we make it clear that there shall be no complete prohibition on the movement of metro trains.” It directed that the authorities’ considered decision on Metro and other rail services, run “in a suitably regulated manner”, be given wide publicity, and that Delhi’s authorities issue a traffic advisory for road users.
Orally, the bench said law enforcement agencies were entitled to take regulatory measures and could restrict unruly movement, but that this did not mean everything could be brought to a halt, according to Bar & Bench. It spoke of commuters from Gurugram, Greater Noida, East Delhi and South Delhi.
The order also records that counsel for the parties were agreed that a suitable place with basic amenities for peaceful and lawful protests should be identified and designated, and says the competent authority should consider the suggestion and take an appropriate decision, LiveLaw reported. After the order was dictated, the Solicitor General said the Centre would decide on re-designating the protest site.
The restrictions behind the petitions
The Hindu reported on 9 October that Delhi Police had denied the Cockroach Janta Party permission for the Jantar Mantar protest, that entry and exit gates at 45 Metro stations were to be closed, and that mobile internet curbs, market closures and train cancellations were in place. The Indian Express reported that Delhi Police cited prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, that the Home Ministry had made 221 Central Armed Police Forces companies, around 23,000 personnel, available to Delhi Police from 8 to 12 October, and that trains to and from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations were cancelled from 4 am to 2 pm on 10 October. The Indian Express noted that no revised railway notice had been reported at the time of writing.
The Hindu also reported that the Union Home Ministry had written to the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of all States and Union Territories asking them to coordinate with Delhi Police and take preventive measures to stop the movement of protesters towards Delhi.
The CJP has said it will go ahead with the protest, which seeks the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner and a rollback of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The background to the dispute with the Election Commission of India is in our earlier report on the INDIA bloc march and the FIR against two opposition leaders.
What happens next
The protest is scheduled for 10 October. It was not clear from the reports reviewed which restrictions the authorities would revise following the order, or whether the Centre had taken a decision on a different protest venue. The Court’s order directs that any revised decisions be publicised.
Perspectives
Listed in no particular order and given equal space. Inclusion is not endorsement.
The Centre and Delhi Police say
- Delhi Police denied permission for the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar, citing what The Hindu reported as alleged violations of conditions set for an earlier demonstration, and prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, according to The Indian Express.
- A Union Home Ministry letter to States, seen by The Hindu, described “grave law-and-order and public-order implications” and said the CJP and supporting groups had a “documented history of non-compliance with lawful directions”.
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Court that the authorities would reconsider the restrictions, and raised safety concerns about Jantar Mantar, noting that an ambulance would have difficulty reaching a protester who fell ill.
The opposition and petitioners say
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters in the Parliament House complex that the government was afraid of the protest; Congress general secretary K C Venugopal alleged an “undeclared emergency” in Delhi, The Hindu reported.
- In a joint statement, the Left parties asked the Delhi Police and the Union government to stop intimidating prospective participants and to allow them to proceed to Jantar Mantar.
- Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for CPI(M) Secretary M A Baby, told the Court that Jantar Mantar is itself a designated protest site and that Ramlila Maidan had also not been considered; Advocate Prashant Bhushan made a similar submission, according to LiveLaw.
Sources
- Delhi CJP Protests: Supreme Court says no to complete closure of Delhi metro or total blockade of roads — Bar & Bench
- Supreme Court Asks Centre To Decide On Reconsidering Jantar Mantar As Designated Protest Venue — LiveLaw
- CJP protest: Trains cut, Internet down, Delhi turns a fortress — The Hindu
- Opposition targets Modi government over 'undeclared emergency' in Delhi ahead of youth protest — The Hindu
- Delhi Police's 37-point dragnet to block CJP protests: In graphics — The Indian Express
