Supreme Court Orders Protection for Peaceful Protesters

The Supreme Court has told authorities to protect peaceful protesters from unlawful detention and let people move freely, subject to traffic rules. It also called for a review of Delhi’s barricades and said internet access should continue, subject to law and order needs. The directions came as the court considered claims that officials had restricted movement during protests in the capital. ⁸

Movement was also at the centre of a separate report filed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The corporation told the Supreme Court that trains ran on their usual Saturday schedule on October 10: 271 trains made 4,157 trips. But passengers could not enter or exit 45 of the network’s 303 stations. DMRC said 258 stations stayed open, with passengers able to change trains at 14 affected stations. The first police notice named 57 stations; restrictions were reduced after the court’s October 9 intervention. ^1,4

Those 32 lakh passengers were far fewer than the roughly 58 lakh who usually ride on a second Saturday. DMRC said protests likely led people to avoid travel, rather than a reduction in train services. That distinction is central to the dispute: the court had told authorities not to impose a complete ban on metro and rail travel. Petitioners say the restrictions still disrupted daily life. DMRC’s report is its defence, not a court finding on whether officials followed the order. ^3,12

Thursday’s hearing is the next clear step. The Supreme Court has sought answers from the Centre and police, while DMRC has filed its account of metro services and its chairperson has apologised to the court. The judges will hear the parties’ responses; available reports do not say the court has reached a final decision on the alleged violations. ^10,13