Supreme Court Orders Normal Delhi Metro and Internet Service, Bars Illegal Detention of Peaceful Protesters

The Supreme Court of India on Sunday, October 11, 2026, directed authorities to ensure normal functioning of Delhi Metro and railway services and to keep internet facilities undisturbed, subject to law and order. A bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana also ordered that people gathering peacefully should not be illegally detained, particularly outside areas where Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita is in force.

The special sitting addressed petitions alleging violations of the court's Friday order and illegal detentions during Saturday's protests called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student organisations. The protests targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Senior counsel told the court that Metro stations had been closed, New Delhi and Nizamuddin railway stations remained shut, traffic advisories were missing, and large numbers of people faced harassment and detention beyond the prohibitory zone.

The bench said Metro and rail facilities shall function normally until and unless regulations are required under Article 19(2) of the Constitution to address public order. Free movement of people shall be permitted subject to traffic regulations. Barricades must be reviewed and removed unless warranted. Internet services shall remain undisturbed, though the court clarified it was not removing the administration's powers under the Information Technology Act. Lawyers must not be impeded in professional duties, and access to courts must remain open.

Authorities had detained more than 7,000 people on Saturday, including CJP leaders such as Abhijit Dipke, opposition figures and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee. Forty-five Metro stations were closed at one point, and mobile internet was restricted in parts of central Delhi. Railways cancelled at least 245 trains. The Solicitor General told the court that Metro stations had reopened by 10 p.m. Saturday and internet service had been restored.

The court issued notices on contempt petitions and directed responses by Tuesday. It noted a prima facie case of alleged violations of the October 9 order, which had cautioned against complete prohibition of traffic, trains and Metro stations in anticipation of possible disorder. Friday's bench, including the Chief Justice, had advised against using a hammer to kill a fly.

Kapil Sibal and other senior advocates argued that police picked up people from trains and detained individuals well outside the four-kilometre radius of Jantar Mantar. The court ordered that detentions follow the procedure established by law and that peaceful unarmed assemblies outside the prohibitory area not be subjected to illegal detention. Barricades across the city were to be reviewed forthwith.

The directions restore basic urban services while preserving the government's authority to impose lawful restrictions where public order requires them. For commuters and residents of Delhi, the immediate effect is the resumption of normal Metro schedules and internet access after Saturday's disruptions. The contempt notices keep the question of compliance open until the responses arrive. The underlying dispute over the Election Commission's processes and the CJP's mobilisation continues outside the courtroom.