Supreme Court Directs Authorities to Maintain Regulated Transport During Demonstrations in Delhi

Public transport networks in the national capital must not face a complete shutdown during upcoming political demonstrations, the Supreme Court ruled on Friday.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, instructed the Centre and local authorities to maintain regulated Delhi Metro and railway operations ahead of the October 10 demonstration called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The bench emphasized that maintaining law and order requires regulating services rather than imposing a total prohibition on movement.

The intervention followed a legal challenge against sweeping curbs planned for Saturday’s protest at Jantar Mantar. Petitioners had contested the proposed closure of entry and exit gates across 57 Metro stations and the cancellation of multiple trains, arguing that such measures would inflict disproportionate hardship on ordinary workers and essential service providers. Authorities had sought the transport restrictions to prevent large crowds from gathering at sensitive locations and to manage anticipated congestion around the New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations.

The CJP organised the protest to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities and voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Delhi Police had previously denied permission for the event, citing public safety, law and order, and traffic management concerns.

Responding to the court’s observations, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that he would urge authorities to reconsider the restrictions and allow transport services to operate in a suitably regulated manner based on the principle of proportionality. Accepting this assurance, the Supreme Court directed officials to widely publicize any revised transit decisions to keep commuters informed and minimize public inconvenience.

Furthermore, the bench instructed authorities to issue public advisories regarding traffic movement, review road barricading, and identify as well as publicize alternative routes.

Addressing the venue of the demonstration, the Supreme Court suggested that the competent authority consider designating an alternative location equipped with amenities for peaceful protesters instead of Jantar Mantar. The court observed that it was high time such a site be established, to which Mehta stated that the competent authority would examine the suggestion and reach an appropriate decision.