SC issues contempt notice to Union Home Secretary, Delhi Police chief and DMRC chairperson over violation of order
The petition referred to the Supreme Court’s October 9 order, which was passed while hearing a separate plea challenging the closure of 57 metro stations and the cancellation of trains ahead of the CJP-led protest scheduled for October 10.
PTC News Desk: The Supreme Court on Sunday sought responses from the Centre, Delhi Police and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) over petitions challenging the mass detention of protesters and restrictions imposed in Delhi ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) planned ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’ protest.
During a special hearing, a bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued notices to the authorities concerned. The court directed them to submit affidavits explaining why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them.
"There shall not be illegal detention, except in accordance with the law, particularly in respect of peaceful unarmed assemblage of people beyond the area where 163 BNSS is implemented," it stated.
The petitions relate to restrictions imposed in Delhi to prevent protesters from gathering at Jantar Mantar.
Advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi filed the contempt petition, naming Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and DMRC chairperson D. Thara as respondents.
The petition referred to the Supreme Court’s October 9 order, which was passed while hearing a separate plea challenging the closure of 57 metro stations and the cancellation of trains ahead of the CJP-led protest scheduled for October 10.
The court is also hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy concerning the detention of political leaders.
Supreme Court questions detentions
The bench directed that people gathering peacefully should not be illegally detained in areas where prohibitory orders are not in force.
The CJP and several student organisations had called for the protest to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists.
According to the report, more than 7,000 protesters were detained on Saturday amid extensive security arrangements across Delhi. Those detained reportedly included CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke, opposition leaders and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee.
Dipke and fellow CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released on Sunday morning after being produced before an executive magistrate. The three had been detained aboard a flight from Mumbai shortly after it landed in Delhi on Saturday.
Rathee was also detained at his home in Gurugram during the day and was released at around 3 am on Sunday.
The Supreme Court’s latest proceedings focus on the legality of the detentions and restrictions imposed ahead of the planned demonstration.