SC Seeks Centre's Reply Over Delhi Metro Station Closures During CJP Protest

The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre, Delhi Police, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the Delhi government over the closure of several metro stations in the national capital during protests by the CJP. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana is examining a petition challenging the decision to shut metro stations during the protests.

The petitioner has questioned the legal basis for closing public transport facilities, arguing that such a decision affects commuters who are not connected with the protest. During the hearing, questions were also raised over whether authorities had followed any Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) before ordering the closures.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that the concept of a fixed SOP in such situations could be difficult to establish, describing it as a “mirage”. The court indicated that the focus would instead be on examining how the authorities exercised their discretion and whether the restrictions were justified.

Several metro stations in central Delhi were temporarily closed amid security concerns linked to the protests. The affected stations included Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Janpath, Mandi House, ITO, Supreme Court and Khan Market, among others. The closures disrupted normal metro services and affected commuters travelling through central Delhi. Lawyers and litigants heading towards the Supreme Court were also among those impacted by the restrictions.

The petition has raised broader questions about the balance between maintaining public order and ensuring access to essential public transport services. The Supreme Court's response from the Centre and other authorities is expected to provide details about the circumstances that led to the station closures, the security assessment behind the decision and the legal authority under which the restrictions were imposed. The matter could have wider implications for the way public transport services are regulated during protests and other major security situations in Delhi.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.