New Delhi: The Supreme Court held a special hearing on Sunday regarding widespread restrictions across the capital amid calls for demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The judicial intervention came a day after approximately 7,000 individuals were detained in Delhi on Saturday during protests.
A special bench comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana reviewed petitions that alleged mass detentions, movement restrictions, internet suspensions, and non-compliance with prior judicial directives regarding transport curbs ahead of the Saturday demonstrations.
In response, the top court outlined five major directives to govern the situation in the national capital. First, metro and rail facilities must operate normally unless specific regulations are necessary under Article 19(2) to address public order disturbances.
Second, the free movement of individuals across the city must be permitted, subject to regular traffic rules, and the placement of barricades must be reviewed immediately in light of law and order and traffic needs.
Third, internet services must remain completely undisturbed. Fourth, the smooth transit of people throughout the city is to be allowed in accordance with the law.
Fifth, the bench emphasized that no detentions should occur except through the procedure established by law, specifically protecting peaceful and unarmed assemblies outside areas where Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita is active.