The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Centre and Delhi Police to reconsider blanket restrictions on metro and railway services ahead of the planned protest in Delhi on October 10. The court stressed that security arrangements must remain proportionate and should not cause unnecessary hardship to ordinary citizens.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana observed that authorities could regulate public transport to maintain law and order but should not completely suspend essential services. Emphasising the need for balanced measures, the bench remarked, “You will not use a hammer to kill a fly.”
The court said that regulating transport services and shutting them down entirely were two different matters. It highlighted the difficulties faced by students, office-goers and people travelling from areas such as Greater Noida and South Delhi, noting that not everyone had access to a private vehicle.
The intervention came after the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced plans to close entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations from 9 pm on Friday until further orders. The restrictions were introduced following concerns raised by Delhi Police about possible crowd movement towards sensitive locations ahead of Saturday's demonstration.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and Delhi Police, agreed to reconsider the restrictions after the bench questioned whether a complete shutdown was necessary. The court directed the authorities to take a considered decision allowing metro and other trains to operate under appropriate regulation. It also instructed officials to publicise revised advisories widely so that commuters could plan their journeys accordingly.
The bench acknowledged the authorities' responsibility to prevent unlawful gatherings and maintain public safety. However, it said these concerns could not justify unnecessarily depriving residents of access to essential public services. The court also asked authorities to reconsider road barricades and explore alternative routes wherever required.
Railway services had also faced disruption ahead of the proposed protest. Indian Railways cancelled mail and express trains scheduled to arrive at or depart from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10, citing anticipated severe road congestion. The cancellations included the Howrah-New Delhi and Sealdah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express services.
The protest, organised by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and other groups, is scheduled to take place at Jantar Mantar. The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.
The Supreme Court's intervention seeks to balance security requirements with citizens' rights to move freely and access public transport, particularly during a major public demonstration.
Reader Comments 0