The Supreme Court has told the Centre that trains and Metro services in Delhi cannot be completely stopped ahead of the October 10 protests, and recorded the Solicitor General’s agreement to ask authorities to allow services in a regulated manner.
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday said there shall be no complete prohibition on the movement of trains and Metro in Delhi ahead of the October 10 protests, after the Solicitor General agreed to take up the matter with the authorities and allow services in a regulated manner [MA Baby And Others v. Union Of India (Delhi Protest Restrictions) Matter].
A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana passed the order. The petitioners, including CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby, challenge the curbs imposed ahead of protests that were announced against the Chief Election Commissioner by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and opposition parties, as reported. The contentions on both sides are untested, and the Court expressed no view on the merits of the protest or of the restrictions.
Order: No Complete Prohibition
The Court recorded the Solicitor General’s agreement to ask the authorities to reconsider the prohibition and allow regulated movement of trains and Metro. The order states:
“We make it clear that there shall be no complete prohibition on movement of metro/trains.”
The Court also directed that any decision taken be widely publicised, with advisories published in newspapers and on websites.
Petitioners’ Submissions
Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal, Gopal Sankaranarayanan, Dr A.M. Singhvi, N. Hariharan and Vrinda Grover made an urgent mention. Mr Sibal said that trains scheduled to reach New Delhi and Nizamuddin stations between 4 AM and 2 PM on October 10 had been suspended.
Bench: Regulation Permissible, Halting Everything Is Not
The CJI said the Court was concerned about commuters travelling to Delhi for work and study, and about the complete closure of Metro station entries. He said regulation was permissible but halting everything was not. Justice Bagchi said that reducing the frequency of services could be a form of regulation, but complete closure would be an extreme step.
Centre’s Position
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta agreed to take the matter up with the authorities. He submitted that, depending on circumstances, a complete stoppage might be proportionate, and argued that the city had not been shut down. According to the report, he said the measures were a response to violence after the attempted Parliament march on July 20, and that the internet shutdown was limited to sensitive areas and would be reviewed. These are the Centre’s submissions and were not tested by the Court.
Case Details: Petitions challenging restrictions in Delhi ahead of the October 10, 2026 protests, including by CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby, Supreme Court of India, order of 9 October 2026. Case number not reported; next hearing date not reported.
Appearances: Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal, Gopal Sankaranarayanan, Dr A.M. Singhvi, N. Hariharan and Vrinda Grover for the petitioners; Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for the Centre.