Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Supreme Court Bars Blanket Delhi Metro Shutdown Ahead of Protest
The Supreme Court was worried that people in Delhi might have trouble getting around before a planned protest on October 10.
Police had asked for the entrances and exits at 57 Metro stations to be closed.
Some trains to major Delhi stations were also cancelled or rescheduled.
The court said the Metro and other trains should not be stopped completely.
It said officials could make safety rules, but those rules should still let people travel where possible.
Students, workers and older people were among the commuters the court said rely on public transport.
The government’s lawyer said he would ask officials to reconsider the restrictions.
The court also called for clear travel advisories, and one report said it asked the Centre to reconsider the protest venue.
Police had denied permission for the demonstration, citing safety and law-and-order concerns.
The Supreme Court directed authorities not to completely halt Metro movement ahead of the October 10 protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
It said Metro and other railway services should operate in a regulated, proportionate manner to reduce disruption for commuters.
Police had sought closure of entry and exit gates at 57 Metro stations from 9 pm on October 9; reports said the restrictions’ status after the court’s directions was unclear.
Some trains scheduled to serve New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin were cancelled or rescheduled, while authorities prepared extensive security measures.
The Solicitor General agreed to urge the government to reconsider restrictions; the court also called for publicising travel advisories and, in one report, reconsidering Jantar Mantar as the protest venue.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, Delhi authorities, commuters and organisers of the Cockroach Janta Party protest.
- What
- The court directed authorities not to impose a complete halt on Metro movement and asked for regulated transport services and reconsideration of restrictions.
- When
- The court acted on Friday ahead of the proposed October 10 protest.
- Where
- Delhi and the National Capital Region, India.
- Why
- To limit hardship for commuters while allowing authorities to take proportionate measures for safety and law and order.
Commuter access and protest concerns
Security and public-order concerns
Extent of transport restrictions
Commuter access and protest concerns
The Supreme Court stressed that commuters need access to public transport and said services should not be brought to a complete halt.
Security and public-order concerns
Authorities cited anticipated crowds, safety and law-and-order concerns in planning restrictions; the Solicitor General said he would ask them to reconsider.
Protest and public order
Commuter access and protest concerns
Petitioners’ lawyers described the proposed demonstration as peaceful and challenged the restrictions as disproportionate.
Security and public-order concerns
Delhi Police denied permission, citing safety, traffic regulation and law-and-order concerns; the court recognised authorities could take preventive measures against unruly movement.
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Proposed protest date
- October 10
- Protest group
- Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)
- Planned Metro restrictions
- Police sought closure of entry and exit gates at 57 stations from 9 pm on October 9 until the situation normalised.
- Rail services
- Reports said trains scheduled to serve New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin were cancelled or rescheduled.
- Court's transport direction
- No complete prohibition on Metro movement; Metro and other railway services should operate in a suitably regulated manner.
- Public advisories
- Authorities were directed to publicise revised transport decisions and advisories widely.
- Police position
- Delhi Police denied permission for the protest, citing public safety, traffic and law-and-order concerns.
Sources
Can’t bring everything to halt: SC on Delhi Metro closure for EC protest
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Supreme Court says Delhi Metro, trains cannot be completely halted ahead of October 10 protests
Delhi lockdown: SC bars complete closure of metro, rail services ahead of protests against CEC
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