Delhi lockdown: SC bars complete closure of metro, rail services ahead of protests against CEC

The Supreme Court on Friday barred the authorities in Delhi from imposing a complete closure of metro services in the national capital on Saturday during a protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Bar and Bench reported.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant said that metro and other railway services must function “in a suitably regulated manner so that inconvenience to the public at large is minimised”.

The court also directed the authorities to publicise its decision about the curbs to avoid inconvenience to commuters.

The bench took note of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta’s assurance that the authorities will be urged to reconsider the closure and the movement of metro trains and other railway services, keeping in mind the principle of proportionality.

The order came on petitions filed in the Supreme Court challenging the cancellation of trains coming to Delhi, the proposed closure of 57 metro stations in the national capital and the alleged shutdown of internet services in the capital in view of the protest on Saturday, Live Law reported.

Kant had verbally observed during the hearing that the authorities can “restrict unruly movement” when needed. “But that does not mean you can bring everything to a halt and leave people without any transport facility,” Bar and Bench quoted him as having...

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