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Supreme Court Challenges Delhi Protest Transport Restrictions
The Supreme Court was hearing a case about travel restrictions planned for a protest in Delhi.
The Centre said the restrictions were needed for safety and pointed to injuries during earlier protests.
It also raised an allegation that a woman police officer was almost molested during a recent protest.
A political leader had asked the court to review the closure of Metro stations and cancellation of some trains.
The court said public transport should not be completely shut down.
It asked officials to find a way to protect people without making travel too difficult.
A senior police officer said mistreating women officers should be condemned.
She said legal action was being taken.
At a Supreme Court hearing on planned Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests, the Centre cited alleged sexual harassment of a woman police officer during a recent Congress protest.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended Delhi Police security measures, saying more than 200 personnel were injured during CJP protests in July and that a permitted one-day protest continued for 17 days.
CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby challenged the closure of 57 Delhi Metro stations and cancellation of trains due to reach New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin on October 10.
The court said there could be no complete prohibition on Metro and other train services and urged authorities to reduce closures and balance safety with commuters’ needs.
Police Joint Commissioner Nupur Prasad said alleged mistreatment of women personnel should be condemned and that appropriate legal action was being taken.
- Who
- The Centre, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta; CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby; and the Supreme Court.
- What
- The court reviewed security-related closures and transport restrictions connected with planned CJP protests, while the Centre raised an allegation of sexual harassment of a woman police officer.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- When
- The hearing took place on Friday; the planned protest and train cancellations were scheduled for October 10. The year is not stated.
- Why
- The restrictions were presented by the Centre as security measures for the protests; MA Baby challenged them as arbitrary, disproportionate, and lacking legal authority.
Review transport restrictions
Maintain protest security
Metro and train restrictions
Review transport restrictions
The Supreme Court said there should be no complete prohibition on Metro and other train services, and that authorities should reduce inconvenience to residents.
Maintain protest security
The Centre argued that security measures, including transport curbs, were needed in connection with the planned protest.
Legality and proportionality
Review transport restrictions
MA Baby alleged that the station closures and train cancellations were arbitrary, disproportionate, and without legal authority.
Maintain protest security
The Centre defended the arrangements by citing earlier protest-related injuries and alleged violations during the July agitation.
Key facts
- Protest group
- Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)
- Metro stations affected
- 57 stations were slated for closure
- Train services
- Some trains scheduled to reach New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin on October 10 were to be cancelled
- Centre's claim
- More than 200 personnel were allegedly injured during CJP protests in July
- Permission for July protest
- Mehta said permission was granted for one day, but the agitation continued for 17 days
- Court's direction
- No complete prohibition on Metro movement; authorities were asked to reconsider restrictions
- Police response
- Nupur Prasad said appropriate legal action was being taken over the alleged mistreatment
Quotes
Supreme Court
The court hearing the challenge to restrictions on transport during the protest.
“We are part of society and are standing here for you, for your safety and security. Our women personnel were also there to ensure your protection. If they were misbehaved with, it is not just the police's responsibility to look into it; it is everyone's responsibility. Everyone should condemn the mindset that allows someone to behave this way with another person. Appropriate legal action is also being taken in the matter.”
NDTV
“Two days ago, during a protest, a female policewoman was almost molested. We can show the videos. The protest was not permitted. Likewise, tomorrow's (CJP protest) protest is also not permitted.”
NDTV
Sources
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