Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Delhi Protest Detentions Sunday
The Supreme Court will hold a special hearing on Sunday, October 11.
It will consider a challenge to the detention of opposition leaders during a protest in Delhi.
The protest was against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The leaders reportedly included four people who had previously been chief ministers.
Menaka Guruswamy filed the case.
She argues that people should not be detained just for peaceful protest.
The judges will also consider a separate claim about closed Delhi Metro stations.
That claim says the closures may have gone against an earlier court order.
The Supreme Court scheduled a special sitting for Sunday, October 11, to hear a challenge to preventive detention of opposition leaders during Delhi protests.
The protest was against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and the detained leaders reportedly included four former chief ministers.
Trinamool Congress MP and senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy filed the petition.
The petition argues preventive detention cannot be used to suppress the fundamental right to peaceful protest.
The court will also hear a separate contempt petition alleging Delhi Metro stations stayed closed on October 10 despite an October 9 order against a complete public-transport shutdown.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, petitioning Trinamool Congress MP and senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, and opposition leaders including four former chief ministers.
- What
- A special hearing on a petition challenging preventive detention, alongside a separate contempt petition concerning Delhi Metro station closures.
- When
- Sunday, October 11; the alleged Metro closures occurred October 10, following an October 9 court order.
- Where
- The Supreme Court in connection with protests in Delhi.
- Why
- The petition argues preventive detention cannot be used to suppress peaceful protest; the separate petition alleges Metro closures breached a court order.
Petitioner's argument
Detention rationale
Preventive detention during peaceful protest
Petitioner's argument
Menaka Guruswamy argues preventive detention is being misused to suppress peaceful democratic dissent and cannot override the fundamental right to peaceful protest.
Detention rationale
The articles do not provide the authorities' response or explain their rationale for detaining the leaders.
Delhi Metro station closures
Petitioner's argument
The separate contempt petition alleges Metro stations remained closed on October 10 in breach of the October 9 order against a complete public-transport shutdown.
Detention rationale
The articles do not include a response from the authorities or Metro officials to the allegation.
- Special sitting
- Sunday, October 11
- Bench
- Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana
- Petitioner
- Menaka Guruswamy, Trinamool Congress MP and senior advocate
- Protest subject
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Detained leaders
- Opposition leaders, including four former chief ministers
- Related allegation
- A separate contempt petition says Delhi Metro stations remained closed on October 10 despite an October 9 court order against a complete public-transport shutdown