The Supreme Court has directed authorities to ensure that people gathering peacefully are not subjected to illegal detention and that the free movement of citizens is not unnecessarily restricted, subject to applicable traffic regulations and law and order requirements.
The Court also called for a review of barricading arrangements in Delhi and directed the Centre to ensure that metro services operate according to their normal schedules and internet services remain uninterrupted, subject to lawful restrictions necessitated by the prevailing situation.
The Court further observed that metro and train services should function normally in accordance with the prevailing law and order situation. It also directed that lawyers must not face obstruction while discharging their professional duties.
While issuing notice to the Central Government on a plea seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against authorities for allegedly violating its earlier directions, the Supreme Court said it would hear all concerned parties and ensure that no unnecessary inconvenience was caused.
The matter concerns the alleged restrictions on public movement and the functioning of essential transport services in Delhi. The Court’s directions underscore the need to maintain public order while safeguarding citizens’ freedom of movement and ensuring that legal professionals can perform their duties without obstruction.
