The Supreme Court will hold a special sitting on Sunday, October 11, to hear pleas challenging the preventive detention of Opposition leaders and alleging violations of its directions on public transport restrictions in Delhi ahead of Saturday’s protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Trinamool Congress MP and senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy has challenged the detention of Opposition leaders, including four former chief ministers, as well as other individuals.
The petition argues that preventive detention cannot be used to suppress the fundamental right to peaceful protest.
The demonstrations, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and other groups at Jantar Mantar, demanded Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.
A separate contempt petition filed by advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi names Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and DMRC chairperson D Thara.
It alleges that restrictions remained in place at 57 Metro stations, several trains serving New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations were cancelled, and traffic advisories were not published as directed.
The pleas relate to the Supreme Court’s October 9 order, which said public transport should be regulated rather than completely suspended and directed authorities to publicise traffic advisories and submit compliance reports within four days.
The court had emphasised that security concerns should not cause unnecessary hardship to commuters.
The special hearing will examine the allegations of non-compliance and the legality of the detentions.
