Stories
Supreme Court Seeks Balance Between Protest Rights and Public Access in Delhi
M
Moneycontrol•09-10-2026, 13:32
Supreme Court Seeks Balance Between Protest Rights and Public Access in Delhi
- •The Supreme Court agreed to hear a plea challenging massive transport restrictions in Delhi ahead of the October 10 protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
- •Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that a blanket ban on common transport facilities and essential services severely affects ordinary citizens across the National Capital Region.
- •Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Gopal Sankaranarayanan argued that the closure of 57 Metro stations and cancellation of major trains were disproportionate measures affecting millions.
- •Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the court to defer final conclusions to prevent misrepresentation of proceedings on social media.
- •The bench suggested identifying organizers and expected turnout to help authorities calibrate their response rather than imposing broad transport restrictions.
Key Questions Answered
Senior counsel stated that 57 Delhi Metro stations were closed, trains arriving in Delhi including services to New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin were cancelled between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10, and additional restrictions were imposed on transport services.
The bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that the measures seemed to impose a blanket ban on common transport and essential services, observing that the state must balance protest rights with public access.
The Supreme Court affirmed that peaceful assembly remains a fundamental right within the legal framework, while emphasizing that authorities and courts must balance it with the public's access to essential facilities.
