Advocates File Contempt Petition Over Delhi Transit Shutdowns

Advocates filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court of India on October 10, alleging that the central government and Delhi authorities violated a court order to lift blanket restrictions on metro and rail services. The restrictions were implemented to manage a Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and a special intensive revision exercise.

Advocates claim that authorities shut down 57 metro stations and cancelled multiple trains terminating at Hazrat Nizamuddin and New Delhi stations. The petition further alleges that officials failed to publish the traffic advisories required to prevent public hardship. These actions allegedly contradict an October 9 Supreme Court order that prohibited outright bans on metro movement and mandated clear public communication regarding traffic changes.

The petition names Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Chairperson D Thara as contemnors. This legal challenge follows a previous court demand for a compliance report within four days regarding the restoration of public transit services.