Supreme Court Steps In Over CJP Protest, Directs Centre to Resume Metro Services and End Internet Curbs

Delhi CJP Protest: Supreme Court Orders Normal Metro Operations, Seeks No Internet Disruptions

The Supreme Court on Sunday directed the Centre to ensure that Delhi Metro services operate according to their normal timetable and that internet connectivity remains uninterrupted amid protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The party has been demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the Election Commission of presiding over alleged manipulation of voter lists.

The apex court issued its directions while hearing petitions challenging restrictions on movement and the right to protest in the national capital. The hearing took place even as prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were in force on Bhagwan Das Marg, where the Supreme Court is located.

The court said it would hear the concerned parties and examine the restrictions to ensure that people were not subjected to unnecessary inconvenience. Senior advocates alleged that lawyers and other citizens had faced police excesses and severe movement restrictions during Saturday’s demonstrations, claiming that their right to peaceful protest had been curtailed.

SC Questions Restrictions at Delhi Metro Stations

During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that the overall volume of Metro services had not been reduced on October 10. He said entry and exit restrictions had been imposed at only 15 per cent of Delhi Metro’s 303 stations.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi sought greater clarity, noting that 57 stations had initially been affected. He asked the authorities to provide a map indicating the locations of the stations where restrictions were imposed.

Mehta submitted that all Metro stations had been open since 10 pm on Saturday and that none was closed on Sunday. The court also sought details of railway circulars issued in connection with the restrictions.

Appearing for police personnel, advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai said officers had also experienced violence during the protests. Justice Bagchi observed that courts must remain impartial towards individuals, stressing that life and liberty were equally important for citizens and police officers.

CJP Leaders Released After Detention

CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were released on Sunday after being presented before an executive magistrate at Delhi Cantonment Police Station. The three had been detained preventively ahead of the party’s planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar on Saturday.

Ratna Singh, the party’s head of legal affairs, said the magistrate released them on the condition that they would not breach the peace for one year.

The leaders were detained aboard an Air India flight after it landed in Delhi from Mumbai. They had been travelling to the capital ahead of the proposed protest.

Police said Dipke was informed about his grandmother’s death and offered assistance with travelling home. Despite the detentions, CJP’s Ajinkya Shinde, who had been designated to lead the demonstration, said the agitation would continue until Gyanesh Kumar resigned.

The party also announced plans to hold another protest on Sunday, reiterating its resolve to march to Jantar Mantar and continue the agitation until its demands were fulfilled.

Opposition Leaders Among Those Detained

Saturday’s demonstrations led to extensive security arrangements across Delhi, with several opposition leaders and activists detained at different locations.

Those detained included Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan, Neha Bora, Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan.

After authorities sealed off Jantar Mantar, activists appealed to supporters to regroup at Dilli Haat. Bora, Yadav and Bhushan were detained, while Banerjee and other Trinamool Congress leaders were taken into custody outside her Delhi residence.

Kejriwal and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj were detained near Jantar Mantar, while Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was taken to Chhatrasal Stadium.

Police sources said around 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel had been deployed in the capital, with at least 1,200 people detained overnight. Separately, reports indicated that approximately 6,000 people had been detained across Delhi by 7 pm on Saturday.

In Mumbai, police shut August Kranti Maidan and detained hundreds of people supporting the CJP, including Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the capital would not be held hostage and labelled the CJP the “B-Team” of the Congress and AAP.

Delhi Traffic Police Issues Advisory

The Delhi Traffic Police warned that movement could be affected across parts of New Delhi and Central Delhi on Sunday, October 11, owing to the prevailing law-and-order situation.

Traffic diversions were scheduled to begin at 6 am, depending on the situation, with restrictions possible at 30 locations across the city.

The areas identified included Dhaula Kuan Flyover, Jhandewalan, Mandi House, Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar Road, Lodhi Road Flyover, Patel Chowk and locations around Rail Bhawan and RML Hospital.

People travelling to railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and the airport through New Delhi and Central Delhi were advised to plan their journeys in advance, allow additional travel time and avoid unnecessary trips.

For updates, commuters can contact the Delhi Traffic Police helpline at 1095 or 011-25844444.

CJP Continues Demand for Election Commission Accountability

The CJP has accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of overseeing alleged voter-list manipulation during the SIR exercise and is seeking his resignation.

Delhi Police had refused permission for the proposed demonstration, citing security concerns and inadequate advance notice.

The Supreme Court’s intervention comes amid a wider dispute over restrictions imposed on public gatherings, movement and transport during the protests. By directing the Centre to ensure normal Metro operations and prevent internet disruptions, the court has sought clarity on the restrictions while hearing challenges to the measures adopted by authorities.