Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Supreme Court to Hear Contempt Plea Over Delhi Transport Curbs
A lawyer has asked the Supreme Court to consider whether officials disobeyed its instructions about trains and the Metro during a protest in Delhi.
The court had said public transport should not be stopped completely, though officials could regulate it for safety.
Delhi Metro closed 45 stations from Friday night until Saturday evening.
Earlier police communications mentioned 57 stations, and the petition also alleges that trains were cancelled or curtailed.
The lawyer says the restrictions made travel difficult and that people did not receive clear information.
He also says he found gates shut at two Metro stations.
These are allegations in the petition, not findings by the court.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the plea on Sunday, and the reports do not give a decision on whether contempt occurred.
Advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi filed a contempt plea against senior officials over alleged violations of the Supreme Court’s October 9 transport directions.
The court had said Metro and rail services should not be completely prohibited during the October 10 protest, while allowing suitable regulation for security.
The petition alleges station closures, train cancellations and unclear travel advisories disrupted public life and inconvenienced commuters.
Delhi Metro announced closures at 45 stations from 9 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday; court filings referred to police communications about 57 stations.
A special bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana is scheduled to hear the plea on Sunday, October 11.
- Who
- Advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi filed the plea against Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and DMRC chairperson D. Thara.
- What
- The plea seeks contempt proceedings over alleged continued restrictions on Metro and train services despite the Supreme Court’s direction against a complete shutdown.
- When
- The court issued its direction on October 9, 2026; the restrictions concerned October 10, and the plea is scheduled for hearing on October 11.
- Where
- The Supreme Court of India; the transport restrictions concerned Delhi and trains arriving in the city.
- Why
- The petitioner alleges authorities continued blanket restrictions despite the court allowing regulation, but not a complete prohibition, of public transport.
Petitioner's allegations
Court's direction and security considerations
Whether transport restrictions breached the order
Petitioner's allegations
Tripathi alleges Metro closures and train cancellations continued despite the court’s direction, amounting to deliberate disobedience.
Court's direction and security considerations
The court barred an outright prohibition but allowed services to be regulated suitably for security and crowd management. Delhi Metro said the 45 station closures were for security reasons.
Impact on commuters and public information
Petitioner's allegations
The petition says restrictions disrupted public life, inconvenienced essential travellers and were not accompanied by transparent travel advisories.
Court's direction and security considerations
The court called for transport decisions and traffic advisories to be publicised to reduce inconvenience; the reports do not provide a detailed response from the named respondents to the allegations.
- Petitioner
- Advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi
- Respondents named
- Govind Mohan, Anurag Kumar and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation chairperson D. Thara
- Supreme Court direction
- The October 9 order said Metro and rail services should not be prohibited outright, while allowing suitable regulation.
- Stations in police communications
- The court considered communications referring to closure of 57 Metro stations.
- Reported station closures
- Delhi Metro announced closure of 45 stations from 9 p.m. Friday until 6 p.m. Saturday, citing security reasons.
- Petitioner's station visits
- Tripathi said he visited GTB Nagar and Vishwavidyalaya stations around 9:30 p.m. and found entry gates closed.
- Scheduled hearing
- October 11 before Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana.
- Protest
- The CJP protest was called against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar; some reports also mention student organisations and Opposition parties.
Sources
CJP stir: SC to hear contempt plea against authorities tomorrow
SC To Hear Contempt Plea Over Delhi Metro Curbs Today
CJP protest: Plea in SC alleges violation of order, seeks contempt action against authorities
SC Contempt Plea Over Delhi Metro Closures Amid CJP Protest
Supreme Court to hear contempt plea over Delhi Metro closures on Sunday
SC Likely To Hear Contempt Plea Over Closure Of 45 Delhi Metro Stations Despite Its Order
CJP stir: SC to hear contempt plea on Sunday over Delhi Metro, train curbs
Supreme Court To Hold Rare Sunday Sitting On Delhi Transport Contempt Plea Amid CJP Protest
CJP Protest: Contempt Plea Filed In SC Against Delhi Police, Other Authorities Over Metro, Rail Service Shutdowns
Supreme Court Faces Contempt Plea Over Delhi Metro Closures, Train Cancellations Despite Court Order
Supreme Court to hear contempt plea on curbs today