Supreme Court to hold special hearing on Metro restrictions, detention of CJP protesters on Sunday

The Supreme Court will hold a special hearing on Sunday on two petitions linked to the police action and restrictions on public transport during the CJP protests in Delhi. One plea seeks contempt proceedings against authorities over alleged non-compliance with the court's directions on Metro services, while the other challenges the detention of opposition leaders, lawyers and journalists.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana is scheduled to hear the matters.

The petitions raise questions over the restrictions imposed during the protests announced for October 10, including the alleged closure of Metro stations and preventive detention of several individuals.

Plea alleges violation of Supreme Court order

Advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi has filed the contempt petition, naming Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chairperson D Thara as respondents.

The plea alleges that the authorities continued to restrict Metro and train services despite the Supreme Court's October 9 order directing the Centre to ensure there was no "complete prohibition" of services connecting Delhi in view of the planned protests.

Arguing that the restrictions amounted to deliberate disobedience of the court's directions, the petition said, "This brutal assault on the fundamental rights of the citizens and sheer disregard to the orders of this court amounts to deliberate, intentional attempt on the part of Delhi Metro, Delhi Police and the Union government which must be dealt with an iron hand,"

The petition, filed through advocate Chand Qureshi, seeks the initiation of contempt proceedings against the officials concerned over the alleged failure to follow the court's order.

The plea centres on whether the restrictions imposed during the protests went against the directions issued by the top court on the operation of public transport.

Habeas corpus plea challenges detentions

The second petition is a habeas corpus plea challenging the preventive detention of opposition leaders, lawyers and journalists during the protests. It seeks their release.

A habeas corpus petition asks a court to examine the legality of a person's detention and can seek their production before the court.

The Supreme Court's special hearing will take up both matters arising from the police action and transport restrictions. While the contempt plea focuses on alleged violations of the October 9 order, the second petition questions the detentions and seeks relief for those held.

The bench is scheduled to hear the petitions on Sunday.