Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale on Friday said he had submitted a letter petition to the Acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, seeking urgent suo motu cognisance of restrictions imposed ahead of Saturday's protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar.
Gokhale alleged that the Centre and Delhi Police were attempting to prevent citizens from participating in the demonstration through widespread transport restrictions, police notices and other preventive measures. He sought judicial intervention to restore transport services, withdraw what he described as threats against protesters and make public the official orders authorising the restrictions.
In a post on X, Gokhale said he had approached the High Court over the cancellation of Mail and Express trains, proposed closure of Metro stations and police action against activists travelling to the national capital.
Train cancellations questioned
According to Gokhale, all Mail and Express trains arriving at or departing from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations had been cancelled between 4 am and 2 pm on Saturday.
He also claimed that Delhi Police had asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to shut 57 Metro stations, including the Supreme Court station, ahead of the demonstration.
The MP questioned the necessity and proportionality of these measures, arguing that the suspension of essential public transport services would inconvenience thousands of ordinary commuters while preventing people from reaching the protest venue.
Gokhale further alleged that police authorities were declaring gatherings illegal and serving notices on activists in other states, warning them against travelling to Delhi for the demonstration.
Constitutional rights invoked
The TMC MP maintained that Jantar Mantar was a designated location for public demonstrations and argued that a blanket prohibition on peaceful protests there was inconsistent with constitutional protections.
He referred to Supreme Court observations concerning restrictions on demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and asserted that the measures violated Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution, which protect fundamental freedoms and the right to life and personal liberty.
"Shutting down Delhi & intimidating people to stop citizens from criticising the CEC is an assault on Articles 19 & 21," Gokhale wrote.
He accused the BJP-led Central government of attempting to suppress public criticism of the Chief Election Commissioner, although the government has maintained that security arrangements ahead of the demonstration are intended to prevent disturbances and maintain public order.
Seeks urgent court intervention
In his letter petition, Gokhale sought restoration of the affected railway and Metro services and withdrawal of notices allegedly issued to discourage activists from travelling to the capital.
He also requested disclosure of the official orders under which the restrictions had been imposed, arguing that the public was entitled to know the legal basis for measures affecting movement and peaceful assembly.
The MP expressed support for CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and citizens planning to participate in Saturday's demonstration demanding free and fair elections.
The petition came on a day when the Supreme Court separately expressed serious concern over the proposed closure of 57 Metro stations and cancellation of trains ahead of the protest.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant stressed that security measures must remain proportionate and warned against bringing essential transport services to a complete halt.
The court observed that law enforcement agencies were entitled to regulate movement to maintain public order but must also protect the interests of students, employees, senior citizens, patients and other commuters dependent on public transport.
Gokhale's letter petition adds to the legal and political scrutiny of the restrictions ahead of the October 10 demonstration. However, the submission of a letter petition does not automatically mean that the High Court has registered a case or initiated suo motu proceedings.