Delhi protest curbs: SC to hear contempt petition

Today, the Supreme Court is holding a Sunday sitting to hear a contempt petition alleging disobedience of its 9 Oct directions regarding Delhi Metro and rail restrictions, ahead of the 10 Oct protests.

On 9 Oct, the Court had directed that there cannot be a total “prohibition” but a “regulation”. It had stated that a “prudent decision may be made to permit the operation of Metro trains and other rail services in a suitable and regulated manner. Such a decision should be widely publicised to prevent further inconvenience.”

The contempt petition argues that gates at key stations remained locked or closed, despite of the Supreme Court’s Order and the assurances given by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. Further, authorities maintained a blanket shutdown of metro stations in the capital without issuing any advisories. It claims that this is a deliberate violation of the citizen’s right to movement as “essential public mobility was brought to a standstill”. It states that the “deliberate recalcitrance has severely
crippled public life across the National Capital Territory, stranding essential travelers, and amounts to an intentional attempt to bypass and undermine the authority and majesty of this Hon’ble Court”.

The petition prays for an interim direction “commanding the Respondents to immediately revoke all blanket prohibitory orders against Metro and Railway operations, and enforce a strictly regulated, operational schedule with immediate public notice”.

(This report will be updated throughout the day)