IndiaPosted at: Oct 11 2026 7:46PM


CEC Gyanesh Kumar ouster protest: SC seeks Delhi govt reply on contempt, orders normal Metro services, no unlawful detentions

By Parmod Kumar
New Delhi, Oct 11 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued a notice to the BJP-led Delhi government seeking its reply on why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against it over the closure of Metro stations during the October 10 protests demanding the ouster of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

A special bench, comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, directed the authorities to file a short affidavit responding to the contempt petition and submit a compliance report on implementation of the court’s earlier directions, issued on October 9, concerning public transport and movement during the protests.

In a slew of directions, the court ordered that Metro and railway services should function normally, subject to regulatory measures necessitated by public-order considerations. It said movement across the city should not be obstructed except through traffic regulation, directed an immediate review of road barricades and ordered that internet services remain undisturbed, subject to statutory powers available to the authorities.

The bench further directed that there should be no unlawful detention and that peaceful assembly should be permitted outside areas where restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which replaced the erstwhile Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, were in operation.

Justice Mohana also reminded those supporting the protests of their responsibility to ensure peaceful demonstrations. “All of you present here, if you are seriously interested in public welfare, please undertake that you will all protest peacefully and not instigate any other person,” she said.

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan agreed, while seeking a corresponding assurance from the authorities. “Absolutely. And that undertaking should come from their side also about how to behave with peaceful protesters,” he said.

The court also ordered removal of a board outside the Supreme Court announcing imposition of Section 163 BNSS in the vicinity, observing that citizens and lawyers should not be impeded in accessing the court.

The directions came on petitions arising from restrictions and detentions during protests organised by the Committee for Judicial Accountability and Reforms and the Cockroach Janta Party seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s removal over allegations concerning decisions taken during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy submitted that around 7,000 people, including opposition leaders and four former Chief Ministers, had been detained. She questioned how the right to peaceful protest could be curtailed without suspension of fundamental rights and contended that shutting Metro stations despite the court’s earlier direction amounted to contempt.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that the right to protest could not be taken away, subject to reasonable restrictions relating to public order under Article 19, and maintained that citizens did not require prior permission merely to exercise that right.

Former Attorney General K.K. Venugopal drew attention to the detention of a former junior colleague, saying she had been taken away in a police vehicle and dropped about 11 kilometres away without being properly informed of the basis for the action.

Senior advocate Shadan Farasat, who said he too had been detained, urged the court to protect citizens’ right to protest. A woman lawyer also recounted being picked up with others while peacefully marching near the Supreme Court.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that most detainees had since been released. He said Metro train operations had not been curtailed, though 45 of 303 stations had been closed. The bench observed that closure of strategically located stations on particular routes could nevertheless substantially inconvenience commuters.

Mehta also informed the court that internet services had been restored and assured it that lawyers, journalists and others would not be obstructed in discharging their professional duties. UNI PK SS
Tags: #CEC Gyanesh Kumar ouster protest: SC seeks Delhi govt reply on contempt# orders normal Metro services# no unlawful detentions
More News

Rahul Gandhi, Kejriwal holding city hostage & destroying businesses: Malhotra

11 Oct 2026 | 10:28 PM

New Delhi, Oct 11 (UNI) Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal over the anti- CEC protests, Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra today alleged that nowadays, the people of the country, particularly Delhiites, have been witnessing a new game where the two opposition leaders have held the city hostage, trying to prove as to who can create a bigger spectacle.

see more..

SFI alleges 22 women activists detained after sunset during Tiranga rally in Delhi

11 Oct 2026 | 10:01 PM

New Delhi, Oct 11 (UNI) The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) on Sunday alleged that Delhi Police detained 22 of its women activists after sunset during a Tiranga rally at Connaught Place, claiming they were manhandled and slapped by male police personnel. .

see more..

Hindu Raksha Dal claims responsibility for attacks on Delhi protesters; four arrested

11 Oct 2026 | 9:33 PM

New Delhi, Oct 11 (UNI) The arrest of four men linked to the Hindu Raksha Dal over an alleged assault on demonstrators has intensified scrutiny of the handling of protests in the national capital, after videos circulated on social media showing saffron-clad men threatening and attacking protesters during Saturday’s agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

see more..

Mercury dips in Delhi as IMD forecasts thunderstorms and showers

11 Oct 2026 | 7:51 PM

New Delhi, Oct 11 (UNI) Delhi witnessed a dip in daytime temperatures on Sunday, with the maximum settling at 32 degrees Celsius at Safdarjung, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds across the capital during the evening and night.

see more..

CJP alleges detention of Karnataka volunteers near Delhi-Haryana border, seeks details of their whereabouts

11 Oct 2026 | 7:51 PM

New Delhi, Oct 11 (UNI) The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) today alleged that a group of volunteers travelling from Karnataka to the national capital had been detained near the Delhi-Haryana border and moved away from Delhi under disputed circumstances, raising concerns over their safety and access to legal assistance.

see more..