Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Seeks Answers Over 17 Metro Station Closures
The Supreme Court is examining why 17 Delhi Metro stations were closed during protests.
The protests took place near Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
The closures happened on several days in July, including July 20.
They caused traffic problems and made some commuters take longer and more expensive routes.
Lawyer Sparsh Kant Nayak challenged the closures in court.
He said there was no clear law or formal written order allowing the stations to be shut.
Government and police authorities generally make decisions about traffic and public safety.
The court said judges can check those decisions if they appear unfairly extreme or disproportionate.
The Supreme Court sought responses from the Union government, Delhi Police, DMRC and others over the closure of 17 stations.
The stations were shut on several days in July, including July 20, during CJP protests near Jantar Mantar.
The petitioner, advocate Sparsh Kant Nayak, argued that the closures affected public movement and constitutional rights.
The plea said no specific law or formal order authorized the closures, with the decision communicated through social-media posts.
The court said executive action on law and order may be reviewed if the use of power is disproportionate.
- Who
- Advocate Sparsh Kant Nayak filed the petition; the Supreme Court sought responses from the Union government, Delhi Police, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and others.
- What
- The Supreme Court issued notice on a plea challenging the closure of 17 Delhi Metro stations during CJP protests.
- When
- The closures occurred on several days in July, including July 20; the reports place the hearing on September 10 or September 11.
- Where
- The affected stations were around Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, with traffic disruption across central Delhi.
- Why
- The stations were closed amid protests and heightened security, while the petition questions whether the action was legally authorized and proportionate.
Petitioner's Challenge
Executive and Security Considerations
Legal authority
Petitioner's Challenge
The petitioner argues that no specific provision of the Metro Railways Act authorized the station closures and that the public was informed through social-media posts rather than a formal order.
Executive and Security Considerations
The court noted that restrictions on movement are ordinarily issued by police authorities under relevant police laws.
Effect on public rights
Petitioner's Challenge
The petition says closing a public utility affected commuter movement and raised constitutional concerns involving the public at large.
Executive and Security Considerations
The closures occurred amid protests, police barricading and intensified security arrangements around Jantar Mantar.
Judicial review
Petitioner's Challenge
The petitioner seeks scrutiny of whether the restrictions were lawful and proportionate.
Executive and Security Considerations
The court said it generally defers to executive decisions on law and order but can intervene when discretionary action is grossly disproportionate.
- Stations closed
- 17 Delhi Metro stations
- Protest site
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
- Closure period
- Several days in July, including July 20
- Petitioner
- Advocate Sparsh Kant Nayak
- Authorities notified
- Union government, Delhi Police, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and others
- Petitioner's claim
- The Metro Railways Act contains no provision authorizing the closures, and no formal order was issued.
- Court's observation
- Law-and-order decisions generally fall within the executive's domain but may face review if disproportionate.
Sources
Delhi Metro Station Closures During CJP Protests: SC Seeks Answers, Says Courts Can Step In If Action Is ‘Disproportionate’
SC notice to Centre, police on plea against closure of 17 Delhi Metro stations during CJP protests