Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Supreme Court Agrees to Early Hearing on Delhi Protests
A person named Priya Mishra has asked India's Supreme Court to consider rules for peaceful protests in Delhi.
Her lawyer says Delhi Police have stopped people from protesting and have sometimes taken protesters into custody illegally.
The court agreed to consider hearing the case sooner, but it has not chosen a date yet.
First, it will check whether similar cases are already waiting to be heard.
The protests are also linked to a report about disagreements among election commissioners.
The Election Commission says its decisions were made unanimously.
The Supreme Court has asked the government and the commission to provide records about how those decisions were made.
The Supreme Court agreed to list a plea seeking an early hearing on peaceful protests in Delhi.
The bench did not set a date and said it would first check whether similar petitions were awaiting registry clearance.
The petition, filed by Priya Mishra, seeks directions requiring Delhi Police to allow lawful peaceful protests without unwarranted restrictions.
The petitioner’s counsel alleged that people, including students and elected representatives, had been stopped from protesting and that some protesters were illegally detained.
The plea comes amid protests over reported disagreements among election commissioners; the Supreme Court separately asked the Centre and Election Commission to provide records supporting their claim that decisions were unanimous or made by majority.
- Who
- The Supreme Court of India, petitioner Priya Mishra, and Delhi Police.
- What
- The court agreed to consider an early hearing of a plea seeking directions to allow peaceful protests in Delhi.
- When
- Monday; no hearing date was specified.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The plea alleges that Delhi Police restrict peaceful protests and seeks directions to ensure protests are permitted in accordance with law.
Petitioner's allegations
Election Commission's position
Restrictions and protest rights
Petitioner's allegations
The petitioner's counsel said Delhi Police were preventing peaceful protests and imposing unwarranted restrictions, including allegedly taking protesters into custody illegally.
Election Commission's position
The article does not report a response from Delhi Police to these allegations.
Election-related decisions
Petitioner's allegations
An Indian Express investigation reported that two election commissioners had objected at least 14 times to decisions on electoral-roll revision, saying they were made without their knowledge or recommendation.
Election Commission's position
The Election Commission said decisions had been taken unanimously and that any differences were a normal part of deliberations; it also said decisions were supported by statute.
- Petitioner
- Priya Mishra
- Court action
- Agreed to list the plea for an early hearing, subject to checking for similar petitions.
- Hearing date
- Not specified
- Requested relief
- Directions for Delhi Police to permit peaceful protests in accordance with law and without unwarranted restrictions.
- Bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana
- Separate order
- The Centre and Election Commission were directed to provide records within 10 days on whether decisions were unanimous or made by majority.