Supreme Court Contempt Plea Alleges Delhi Authorities Defied Order On Metro, Train Restrictions

A contempt petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Saturday, accusing the Centre and Delhi authorities of violating its order on restrictions imposed on metro and train services ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar.

The petition alleged that authorities had failed to comply with the court’s October 9 directions to avoid blanket restrictions on public transport and publish traffic advisories to minimise inconvenience to commuters.

The restrictions were imposed ahead of the CJP protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Filed by advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi, the contempt plea claimed that despite the Supreme Court’s clear directions to ensure that the public faced no inconvenience, no traffic advisory had been published in newspapers. It also alleged that the decision to close 57 metro stations and cancel several trains bound for New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations remained unchanged.

What Does The Contempt Petition Say?

The plea alleged that authorities had deliberately continued the restrictions despite the court’s directions and assurances given before the bench headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

“Notwithstanding the solemn judicial mandate and the assurance recorded before the bench of the Chief Justice of India (CJI), the contemnors have consciously maintained a blanket shutdown across transit corridors, persisted with unwarranted train cancellations, and failed to issue or publicize transparent traffic and transit advisories,” the petition stated.

The petition, filed on Saturday morning, named Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chairperson D Thara as respondents accused of contempt.

The plea, filed by advocate Chand Qureshi, further alleged that the authorities’ actions had disrupted daily life across the National Capital Territory.

“This deliberate recalcitrance has severely crippled public life across the National Capital Territory, stranding essential travelers, and amounts to an intentional attempt to bypass and undermine the authority and majesty of this court,” it said.

Why Did The Supreme Court Issue The Order?

On Friday, a bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana passed an order on a petition filed by CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby.

During the hearing, senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Gopal Sankaranarayanan argued that the restrictions imposed ahead of the protest were excessively prohibitive and would cause significant inconvenience to ordinary citizens.

They highlighted barricaded roads, the closure of major metro stations and train cancellations, among other measures.

Police had denied permission for the CJP demonstration and put extensive security arrangements in place to prevent any untoward incident.

What Did The Supreme Court Say About Metro And Train Services?

In its October 9 order, the Supreme Court clarified that metro and other rail services should not be subjected to an outright prohibition, while allowing authorities to regulate operations according to the circumstances.

“We clarify that although there shall be no outright prohibition on the movement of metro trains, a prudent decision may be made to permit the operation of metro trains and other rail services in a suitable and regulated manner. Such a decision should be widely publicised to prevent further inconvenience,” the court said.

The bench also directed authorities to publish traffic advisories in newspapers and on online platforms to facilitate the smooth movement of vehicles and prevent hardship for commuters.

“A traffic advisory shall also be published in respect of smooth movement of vehicles in newspapers and on online platforms to ensure that no hardship or inconvenience is caused to the public in the course of traveling within the city,” the order stated.

The Supreme Court further directed the authorities to publicise the prevailing situation widely and provide clear information to the public. It also sought a compliance report within four days.

The contempt petition now alleges that the authorities failed to implement these directions, particularly regarding metro station closures, train cancellations and the publication of traffic advisories.