Politics · India · 1 day ago
Supreme Court sets Sunday hearing on Delhi transit shutdown
Delhi Metro stations were largely closed, roads were heavily barricaded and trains to the capital were cancelled on October 10.
The restrictions came as protesters gathered to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi has asked the Supreme Court to start contempt proceedings against senior officials and the Delhi Metro corporation’s chairperson.
He alleges that the shutdown breached the court’s October 9 order.
That order said authorities must avoid blanket bans on public transport and prevent hardship for ordinary commuters.
The court had also asked authorities to submit reports on compliance within four days.
A bench will hear the contempt plea on Sunday, October 11.
The Supreme Court scheduled a special hearing for October 11 on a contempt petition challenging Delhi’s transit shutdown during protests.
The petition alleges that authorities defied an October 9 court order by shutting Metro stations and cancelling trains.
The shutdown came as protesters gathered to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The petition names the Union Home Secretary, Delhi Police Commissioner and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation chairperson.
The court had directed authorities to submit compliance reports within four days.
- Who
- Advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi filed the petition. It names Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and DMRC Chairperson D. Thara.
- What
- A contempt petition challenges the shutdown of public transport, rail and Metro services in Delhi.
- When
- The petition was filed on October 10, 2026. The special hearing is scheduled for October 11.
- Where
- New Delhi and the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
- Why
- The petition alleges that the shutdown violated a Supreme Court order intended to prevent hardship to ordinary commuters during protests.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Notwithstanding the solemn judicial mandate and the assurance recorded before the Bench of the Chief Justice of India, the contemnors have consciously maintained a blanket shutdown across transit corridors, persisted with unwarranted train cancellations, and failed to issue or publicise transparent traffic and transit advisories.
The Supreme Court issued an order directing authorities not to cause hardship to ordinary commuters through a blanket ban.
Metro stations remained shut across much of Delhi, trains to the city were cancelled, and thousands of people were detained amid protests.
Tripathi filed the contempt petition, alleging that authorities had not complied with the court’s directions.
The Supreme Court Cause List announced a special hearing for the following day.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the contempt petition.
- Hearing date
- October 11, 2026
- Petition filed
- October 10, 2026
- Petitioner
- Advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi
- Bench
- Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana
- Protest demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Compliance reports
- Due within four days of the October 9 order
Sources
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