The Supreme Court of India has directed the Union government and the Delhi Police to prevent illegal detentions and guarantee the unhindered movement of traffic, public transport, and Metro rail services, subject to law and public order. The directions were passed during an exceptional Sunday session conducted by a Special Bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana.
The hearing took place after mass detentions and strict civil restrictions in New Delhi, which senior lawyers compared to the 1975 Emergency. The bench issued notices to Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chairperson D. Thara. The notices respond to a petition by advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi requesting contempt proceedings for alleged non-compliance with an October 9 court order that prohibited complete bans on Metro and public transport services on October 10.
The court directed police authorities to review road barricading immediately, safeguard internet connectivity, and withdraw prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS around the Supreme Court and other courts in the capital to maintain litigants' access to justice.
Justice Bagchi stated that detentions outside the four-kilometer restricted zone in central Delhi, which includes the designated protest site at Jantar Mantar, must occur strictly according to law. The bench ruled that peaceful gatherings outside the prohibited zone must be permitted, and professionals, including journalists and lawyers, must be allowed to execute their duties without hindrance.
