Supreme Court Pushes Delhi to Keep Metro Trains Running

A planned shutdown covering 57 Delhi Metro stations drew a sharp response from Chief Justice Surya Kant: metro trains must not be completely stopped. The Supreme Court said authorities should regulate metro and other railway services instead, so Delhi residents and commuters face less hardship. Its intervention came one day before a protest at Jantar Mantar. ^2,5

Those 57 stations were on a list Delhi Police had asked the metro operator to close from 9 p.m. Friday, October 9, through Saturday, October 10, because of security concerns. Police also sought fewer trains. The Cockroach Janta Party, or CJP, called the protest to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over claims that voter-list checks were irregular. Police denied permission because notice came late and protesters allegedly broke earlier protest conditions. ^4,13

Commuters were already facing wider travel limits. Railways cancelled Mail and Express trains expected at New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin stations from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, saying road congestion could create safety problems. Police prepared a large security operation, while liquor shops were ordered shut for two days. The issue goes beyond access to a protest site: broad limits can affect ordinary travel, while police say they aim to prevent disorder. ^8,10,34

That balance is now in the hands of authorities reviewing how trains will run. The Supreme Court asked them to allow rail services with suitable limits and give the public clear, widely shared notice of their decision. The CJP protest was scheduled for Saturday, October 10, at Jantar Mantar, despite the police refusal. ^2,13