Politics · India · 1 hr ago
Home secretary apologises to Supreme Court over Delhi internet shutdown
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan apologised to the Supreme Court over a mobile internet shutdown in central Delhi.
The service was suspended from 10 pm on October 9 to 10 pm on October 10 within a four-kilometre radius of Raisina Hills.
Mohan said the shutdown was needed to prevent public disorder amid a situation linked to protests that Delhi Police stopped.
He said the restriction applied only to cellular internet, not Wi-Fi, broadband or other telecommunications services.
The court had issued contempt notices to Mohan, the Delhi Police commissioner and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation chairperson over an alleged breach of an earlier order.
On October 11, the court directed that internet facilities should function unhindered.
Mohan asked the court to change that order to allow limited shutdowns when necessary, subject to the law and safeguards.
Union home secretary Govind Mohan apologised unconditionally to the Supreme Court over a one-day cellular internet shutdown in central Delhi.
He said the shutdown was needed to prevent a disturbance to public order and maintain peace.
The service suspension covered a 4 km radius around Raisina Hills, from 10 pm on October 9 to 10 pm on October 10.
Mohan said the suspension did not affect Wi-Fi, broadband or other non-cellular internet services.
The Supreme Court had issued contempt notices over an alleged breach of an earlier order and directed that internet facilities function unhindered.
- Who
- Union home secretary Govind Mohan apologised to the Supreme Court.
- What
- He apologised over a one-day suspension of cellular internet services in part of Delhi and said it was necessary to maintain public order.
- When
- The suspension ran from 10 pm on October 9 to 10 pm on October 10. The Supreme Court issued contempt notices on October 11.
- Where
- Within a 4 km radius of Raisina Hills in New Delhi.
- Why
- Mohan said the suspension was needed to prevent a disturbance to public order and maintain peace.
Supreme Court
Union home secretary Govind Mohan
Internet access
Supreme Court
The court directed that internet facilities should function unhindered.
Union home secretary Govind Mohan
Mohan said the limited cellular internet suspension was necessary to prevent a disturbance to public order.
Legal compliance
Supreme Court
The court issued contempt notices over an alleged violation of its earlier order.
Union home secretary Govind Mohan
Mohan said there was no wilful violation and asked the court to modify its order to allow suspensions when necessary and lawful.
The cellular internet suspension began in a 4 km radius around Raisina Hills.
The cellular internet suspension ended.
The Supreme Court issued contempt notices to the home secretary, Delhi Police Commissioner and DMRC chairperson over an alleged violation of its earlier order.
The Supreme Court directed that internet facilities should function unhindered.
Mohan filed an affidavit apologising unconditionally and defending the suspension as necessary to maintain public order.
- Home secretary
- Govind Mohan
- Suspension area
- 4 km radius of Raisina Hills
- Suspension period
- 10 pm on October 9 to 10 pm on October 10
- Services affected
- Cellular internet only
- Supreme Court notices
- Issued October 11 to the home secretary, Delhi Police Commissioner and DMRC chairperson
What people are saying
was found to be a proportionate measure, having regard to the magnitude of the situation and the need to prevent any disturbance of public order in the national capital.
internet facilities should function unhindered