Contempt Petition Filed Against Key Officials Over Alleged Metro Closures
The Supreme Court of India has received a contempt of court petition alleging non-compliance with its October 9 order, which had directed against a complete shutdown of public transport services. The petition specifically claims that Delhi Metro stations remained closed despite the Court's explicit directions, issued in anticipation of protests planned by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar.
Advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi filed the petition, seeking the initiation of contempt proceedings against Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Chairperson D Thara. The petitioner alleges that these officials wilfully disobeyed the Supreme Court's directives.
Background to the Supreme Court's October 9 Order
The Supreme Court's order on October 9 was issued by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana. The Bench had intervened following petitions that challenged restrictions imposed on Metro and railway services ahead of the CJP protests and demonstrations by other groups. During its observations, the Court characterised the restrictions as "overreaching," drawing a clear distinction between the regulation of public transport and its outright prohibition.
The Court had explicitly stated that there should not be a complete closure of metro trains or other forms of public transport. Furthermore, the Bench recorded an assurance from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who indicated that the authorities would reconsider the imposed restrictions. The Supreme Court had also mandated DMRC, railway authorities, and Delhi Police (Traffic) to submit compliance reports within four days of the order.
Petitioner's Allegations of Non-Compliance
Advocate Tripathi's petition details several instances of alleged non-compliance. He claims that despite the Supreme Court's order, DMRC announced the closure of entry and exit gates at 45 Metro stations, effective from 9 PM on October 9 until 6 PM on October 10. To substantiate his claims, the petitioner stated that he personally visited GTB Nagar and Vishwavidyalaya Metro stations around 9:30 PM on October 9.
At GTB Nagar Metro station, Tripathi reported that gates 1 and 2 were closed, while gate 3 permitted only regulated exits. He further claims to have video-recorded the closure of gate 2. Similarly, at Vishwavidyalaya station, the petitioner alleged that the entry gate was shut, with only the exit gate remaining operational. Tripathi also stated that during his visit to Jantar Mantar around 8:30 PM, the area was predominantly occupied by police and paramilitary personnel.
Beyond the specific metro station closures, the petition also raises concerns regarding continued train cancellations and an alleged inadequacy in the publicity of revised transport arrangements for the public.
Relief Sought by the Petitioner
Advocate Tripathi, who was not an original petitioner in the matters that led to the October 9 order, has now separately sought the Supreme Court's permission to institute these contempt proceedings. The plea requests that the concerned officials be directed to appear personally before the Court to explain why contempt action should not be initiated against them. Additionally, the petition seeks immediate withdrawal of all blanket restrictions and the restoration of regulated public transport services.