The Supreme Court of India on Friday intervened against blanket restrictions on public transport in the national capital, directing the Centre and Delhi authorities to ensure that Delhi Metro and train operations are regulated rather than completely shut down ahead of a planned demonstration by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on October 10.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana expressed deep concern over the sweeping measures—which included shutting entry and exit gates at 57 key Delhi Metro stations, curtailing several Delhi-bound trains, and imposing restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Highlighting the plight of daily commuters, CJI Surya Kant questioned the decision to halt public transit at such a massive scale. “We are concerned about millions of people who are travelling for their livelihood from Gurgaon, East Delhi, South Delhi, etc.,” the CJI remarked, noting that “everybody does not have a private car.”
While acknowledging the duty of law enforcement to maintain order during potential unlawful gatherings, the top court stressed that security measures must remain proportionate. Justice Bagchi observed that total closure amounts to an impermissible prohibition rather than a balanced regulation, urging authorities to strike a finer balance between maintaining law and order and serving the public interest.
The court urged the government to allow metro trains and railway transit to operate with regulated frequency and timing schedules, accompanied by widely publicised traffic advisories to minimise disruption for ordinary citizens.
