New Delhi: The Supreme Court on October 9 said there should be no outright prohibition on Delhi Metro services, calling for essential Metro and rail operations to continue in a suitable, regulated manner amid restrictions linked to proposed protests.
The court recorded the Solicitor General’s assurance that authorities would reassess the prohibitions. It also directed that the revised transport arrangements and a traffic advisory be widely publicised, and sought compliance reports from DMRC, the railway authorities and Delhi Police (Traffic) within four days.
What the October 9 order directs
The four-page court order distinguishes a complete ban on public transport from regulation. It says authorities may take a prudent decision on suitable, regulated Metro and rail operations so that Delhi residents and the general public are not inconvenienced, while following the principle of proportionality.
The order was passed by a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana in proceedings including M.A. Baby’s civil writ petition, Diary No. 63560/2026, and a connected criminal writ petition, Diary No. 63544/2026.
The bench examined police communications concerning DMRC and the zonal railways. Its order records proposed restrictions affecting trains at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations, reduced Metro frequency through 57 stations, and closure of their entry and exit gates from 9 pm on October 9 until the situation normalised.
The court considered these restrictions overreaching because they imposed a complete ban on essential public transportation. It required the new decision to receive wide publicity, along with a traffic advisory in newspapers and online, to give travellers clarity.
Transport ruling is separate from protest permission
The lawyers challenging the transport restrictions told the court they did not represent the proposed protesters or organisers. The order records that no petition on the organisers’ behalf had been filed before the bench. The ruling therefore should not be read as permission for the October 10 gathering at Jantar Mantar.
On protest facilities, the court asked the competent authority to consider identifying and designating suitable alternative sites with basic amenities for peaceful, lawful protests. This is a direction to consider the proposal, rather than an announcement that a new venue has already been allotted.
Delhi Police has separately denied permission for the October 10 Jantar Mantar protest. This report follows our earlier report on the 57-station Metro advisory and the October 10 traffic diversions. Travellers should check the revised operational advisories before leaving.
