Delhi CEC Protests | Live Updates from the Supreme Court

In a rare move yesterday, the Supreme Court held a Sunday hearing to consider contempt and habeas corpus petitions regarding developments in the city over protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Today, the Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will reportedly march to the Supreme Court and submit a memorandum to Chief Justice Surya Kant “on behalf of the nation, demanding an end to vote chori, halting of SIR and the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar.” Last night, the CJI declined to meet with Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders as the matter of alleged electoral irregularities is sub-judice.

Follow this page for live updates from the Court and the streets.

4:30 – 4:45PM 

Mr. Gandhi’s petition has been registered in the Supreme Court under Diary No. 64196/2026. The respondent in the petition is the Election Commission of India. Mr. Gandhi was not at the Supreme Court in person as his march is still progressing to the Supreme Court. He is now joined by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, Lok Sabha MP Akhilesh Yadav, President of the Samajwadi Party; Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal Leader Tejashwi Yadav.

3:11PM

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) issued a notification that the Bar will observe one minute of silence on 13 October (tomorrow) at 1:15 PM before the Gandhi statue, in solidarity with advocates mistreated and manhandled by police. Participants were requested to wear a white ribbon.

2:30PM

Several Members of the Bar have begun marching from the Supreme Court to join the protest march led by Rahul Gandhi. While Section 163 has been lifted from Court premises, it remains in place on surrounding areas. Members of the Bar informed SCO that some advocates were asked to wear black and white ribbons in solidarity.

2:00PM

Delhi police denotified Jantar Mantar as a protest site and designated three new venues Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground, East Delhi. The Cockroach Janta Party has sought permission to continue protesting at Jantar Mantar within 24 hours, failing which the “protestors will have no choice” but to continue their peaceful protest.

12:00PM

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi addressed a Press Conference at Indira Bhawan, New Delhi. He called for the march , titled the “Delhi March for Democracy” to begin from Connaught Place at 1:30PM, inviting everyone who supports and wishes to protect the Constitution of India.

“Why is CEC Gyanesh Kumar not giving his resignation?” he asked and claimed that 50 per cent of police personnel support the protest and have asked him to go ahead. Mr. Gandhi stated that the INDIA Bloc will reach the Supreme Court at 3PM to submit a “petition” and sought the support of those who stand by the National Flag and the Constitution.

The press conference ended at 12:45PM.

11:06AM

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan: There are hooligans running around the street with sticks and beating protestors and children repeatedly. They are doing this with “bravery and courage”. He argued that the police is not taking action against these perpetrators. The Bench will come to the rescue of the bar and the citizens. “I have never seen lawyers being dragged through the streets”, he added, referring to the detention of Senior Advocate Dinesh Dwivedi. Senior Advocates Shadan Farasat and Uttara Babbar were also detained on 10 October.

He requested that the petition against police inaction be listed tomorrow (Tuesday).

11:00 AM

Parties mentioned a case regarding lawyers who were detained. The petitions were filed by individual lawyers. Stating that the hearing will be listed tomorrow, the Bench mentioned that there cannot be any obstruction to movement of litigants. CJI Surya Kant stated that all democratic activities must take place but there should not be a disturbance to the Supreme Court’s functioning, adding that the Court “should not be dragged into any kind of thing.”

The 11 October hearing

The contempt petition alleged violation of the Court’s 9 October order wherein it directed that metro and rail services can only be regulated and not prohibited entirely. The habeas corpus petition sought release of persons detained with counsel stating that over 7000+ had been held by the police.

The Bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana directed the following:

1. Metro and rail services shall operate normally across all stations as per their schedule, subject to public order conditions under Article 19(2).
2. Free movement of people and traffic in the city shall be permitted subject to the traffic regulations. Barricades imposed in the city shall be reviewed, keeping in mind law and order conditions under Article 19(2).
3. Internet facilities throughout the city shall remain undisturbed.
4. Advocates, journalists and professionals shall not be impeded or prevented from discharging their professional duties.
5. There can be no detention save and except by procedure established by law, particularly with regard to peaceful unarmed assemblage people beyond the area where Section
   163 is in operation
6. Boards imposing restrictions under Section 163 of the BNSS around the Supreme Court premises have to be removed. There cannot be any apprehension with regard to the access to justice to the Supreme Court and any other court of law.

The Court did not provide any immediate relief with regard to the alleged contempt allegations and the release of the persons detained during the protests. It will consider a compliance report of its 9 October directions on Tuesday.

(This report includes ongoing developments and will be routinely updated)