‘Restriction, not complete closure’: Supreme Court questions Delhi shutdown ahead of CJP protest
New Delhi/IBNS: The Supreme Court on Friday questioned the Centre's decision to impose sweeping restrictions on movement in the national capital ahead of a planned protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, NDTV reported.
The top court said a blanket restriction on movement could not be imposed if it caused widespread inconvenience to ordinary citizens.
“Young people, elderly all travel. Commuters have a right to basic facilities,” the court told the Centre's lawyer.
“There is a distinction between restriction and complete closure,” it added.
Supreme Court raises concerns over commuter inconvenience
The court made the observations while hearing a petition filed by CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby, challenging the restrictions imposed ahead of the planned protest.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Baby, told the court that the restrictions had disrupted public transport and movement across the capital.
“All trains are cancelled, Metro stations are closed. You cannot move anywhere. What is happening to my country? This is a peaceful protest,” Sibal told the court.
CJI questions closure of Metro station entrances
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the court's primary concern was the complete closure of Metro station entrances and the resulting hardship faced by commuters.
“We are primarily concerned about the complete closure of these metro station entrances. Our concern is not about any specific protester or individual; rather, it is about the hundreds and thousands of commuters who travel to Delhi from Gurugram, Greater Noida, East Delhi, and South Delhi for their livelihoods,” the CJI said.
The court's remarks came amid preparations for the CJP's planned protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The restrictions drew scrutiny over the balance between security arrangements ahead of a political demonstration and the public's right to move freely and access essential transport services.
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