Supreme Court orders no illegal detention of peaceful Delhi protesters

Kapil Sibal welcomed the Supreme Court's directions on handling the Delhi protests. The order addressed detentions, transport and professional access, reinforcing faith in the justice system.

In Short

• Bench told authorities not to obstruct lawyers, journalists and other professionals
• Court sought uninterrupted Metro and internet services, subject to security conditions
• Notice was issued on contempt plea over alleged breach of October order

Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal on Sunday welcomed the Supreme Court’s directions on protests in Delhi, saying the order had restored faith in the country’s justice system. He said the ruling reassured both the public and professionals.

The Supreme Court directed that people gathering peacefully should not be illegally detained. It also asked the Centre to ensure that Delhi Metro services run on their normal schedule and that internet services remain uninterrupted, subject to law and order conditions.

"We are deeply grateful to the Supreme Court of India for passing an order that restores the faith of the Indian people, as well as the faith of professionals, in the justice system of this country," Sibal said.

A bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana also said lawyers, journalists and others should not be stopped from carrying out their professional duties. The court issued notice to the Centre on a plea seeking contempt proceedings against the authorities for allegedly violating its October 9 order on restrictions on Metro and train services in Delhi in view of the protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and some student organisations.

The applications before the court alleged that Metro services were disrupted, New Delhi and Nizamuddin railway stations remained closed, and a large number of people faced harassment and illegal detention on October 10. The protest had been called against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission.

Authorities had detained over 7,000 protesters, including CJP founder Abhijit Dipke, opposition leaders and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, during a security clampdown aimed at preventing the planned mobilisation at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. The court’s order, welcomed by Sibal, addressed detentions, public transport and access for professionals amid the protests in Delhi.

- Ends