New Delhi : The Supreme Court will hold a special sitting on Sunday to hear a contempt petition alleging that authorities violated its October 9 order by continuing to close Delhi Metro stations and cancel train services amid protests announced for October 10 by the CJP and opposition parties against the Chief Election Commissioner.
A bench comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana will hear the matter. The petition, filed by advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi, seeks contempt proceedings against Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Chairperson D. Thara for allegedly wilfully disobeying the Court’s directions.
The petitioner alleges that the continued restrictions on Metro operations and train services severely disrupted public life and caused inconvenience to commuters in the national capital.
The contempt plea arises from the Supreme Court’s October 9 order in MA Baby v. Union of India. While considering restrictions imposed in view of the proposed protests at Jantar Mantar, the Court took note of Delhi Police communications directing the closure of 57 Metro stations and the cancellation of certain Mail and Express trains arriving at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations.
The Court observed that the restrictions appeared to overreach the intended measures by imposing a complete ban on essential public transport. It clarified that Metro services should not be prohibited outright, while allowing authorities to regulate operations appropriately to maintain public order and minimise inconvenience.
The petitioner has alleged that the authorities continued the restrictions despite these directions. The Supreme Court will now consider the contempt plea and the allegations of non-compliance with its October 9 order.
