Delhi protests: SC to hear plea seeking contempt action against authorities on Sunday

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court will hear on Sunday a plea seeking contempt proceedings against authorities for allegedly violating its October 9 direction on maintaining metro and train services during protests in Delhi.The plea will be heard on Sunday by a bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, according to the Supreme Court’s cause list. It seeks contempt proceedings against Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and DMRC chairperson D Thara.Filed by advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi through advocate Chand Qureshi, the petition alleges that the authorities deliberately failed to comply with the court’s directions. “This brutal assault on the fundamental rights of the citizens and sheer disregard to the orders of this court amounts to deliberate, intentional attempt on the part of Delhi Metro, Delhi Police and the Union government which must be dealt with an iron hand,” it said, as quoted by PTI.The dispute stems from restrictions imposed ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 10. The party and student organisations had called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission.Ahead of the protest, the closure of 57 metro stations and cancellation of trains to Delhi were challenged in a separate petition before the Supreme Court. On October 9, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Bagchi and Mohana directed the Centre to ensure there was no “complete prohibition” on metro and train movement into the capital the following day.The court acknowledged that law enforcement agencies could take steps to prevent unruly movement but said citizens should not face undue harassment. It also cautioned against bringing all transport services to a halt because of the proposed demonstration.Delhi nevertheless witnessed extensive security restrictions on Saturday. Police denied permission for the gathering, citing procedural and law-and-order concerns, and deployed barricades and checkpoints across parts of the capital. Restrictions on transport and mobile internet in some areas added to the disruption, while opposition leaders, students, lawyers and activists were detained as they attempted to join the protest.The police action also prompted separate legal interventions. Chief Justice Surya Kant communicated to authorities that lawyers detained while peacefully protesting outside the Supreme Court should be released, following an urgent letter from the Supreme Court Bar Association. The association had said several advocates were taken to the Yamuna Sports Complex.CPM general secretary MA Baby also moved the Supreme Court challenging restrictions imposed ahead of the protest, including curbs on metro services and mobile internet connectivity. Trinamool Congress spokesperson Saket Gokhale separately approached the Delhi High Court’s acting chief justice, seeking suo motu intervention over transport restrictions.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.