Plea alleges SC order violation over Metro shutdown

Synopsis

A contempt petition was moved in the Supreme Court regarding the violation of its orders on Metro services. Authorities allegedly closed metro stations in Delhi, disrupting public life during a protest by the Cockroach Janta Party. The Supreme Court had instructed that there should be no complete prohibition of train movements into Delhi. Despite these directives, 45 metro stations were closed due to security concerns surrounding the protest.

A contempt petition was moved in the Supreme Court on Saturday against authorities for allegedly violating the apex court's directives prohibiting a full shutdown of Delhi Metro and Indian Railways train services on October 10 during a protest by the CJP.

Filed by Shailendra Mani Tripathi, the plea names Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and others as respondents. It contends that authorities persisted in closing metro stations across the national capital in defiance of the top court's October 9 order, resulting in severe disruption to public life and public hardship.

The petition highlights the Supreme Court's directives issued on Friday while hearing a separate plea challenging the closure of 57 metro stations and the cancellation of Delhi-bound trains ahead of the demonstration. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) called the protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

During Friday's hearing, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana instructed the Centre to ensure no "complete prohibition" of metro and train movement into Delhi on October 10, emphasizing that authorities cannot bring normal life to a standstill. The court observed that while law enforcement agencies retain the authority to regulate unruly crowds, ordinary citizens must not face unnecessary harassment.

"It appears that the notifications are overreaching, as they impose a complete ban upon essential public transportation. Upon our indication that a distinction exists between total 'prohibition' and the 'regulation' of metro and other train movements, Solicitor General of India has fairly agreed to impress upon the authorities to reassess such prohibitions," the bench stated in its order.

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"Regarding that assurance, we clarify that although there shall be no outright prohibition on the movement of metro trains, a prudent decision may be made to permit the operation of metro trains and other rail services in a suitable and regulated manner," the bench noted.

The court further directed that any such decisions be widely publicized to avoid inconveniencing commuters, and called for the publication of traffic advisories in newspapers and online platforms to facilitate smooth vehicular movement throughout the city.

Despite these directions, an advisory issued by the Delhi Metro confirmed the closure of 45 stations from 9 pm on Friday until 6 pm on Saturday on security grounds.