New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Friday raised concerns before the Supreme Court over alleged restrictions imposed ahead of the October 10 protest in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, specifically pointing to reports of trains to the national capital being cancelled.
Sibal informed the Chief Justice of India-led bench that a petition had been filed on the matter and urged the court to hear it urgently, alongside other cases connected with a protest held in July.
Highlighting the reported restrictions, Sibal told the court that trains had been cancelled, metro stations were being shut, hotel accommodation was allegedly being denied to visitors, and the Nizamuddin area had been closed. He also claimed that resident welfare associations were reportedly being instructed not to allow people to leave their homes.
“All trains have been cancelled, metro stations are shut, people are being denied accommodation in hotels, and Nizamuddin has been closed. RWAs are reportedly being told not to allow people to step out. What is happening to my country? This is a peaceful protest. How can this be allowed to happen?” Sibal submitted.
The senior advocate questioned the reported measures, arguing that they could affect people’s ability to travel to Delhi and participate in the planned demonstration.
Singhvi also brought the reported cancellation of trains bound for Delhi to the court’s attention, along with concerns over a proposed shutdown of metro services and the alleged suspension of internet services in the national capital ahead of Saturday’s protest.
The Supreme Court observed that it could not examine the restrictions or consider curtailing them unless the denial of permission to the protesters was formally challenged before it. The bench further noted that the group seeking to assemble was not represented before the court.
Sibal subsequently requested permission to mention the matter again at 2 pm, stating that the protest organisers would be brought before the court.
The demonstration has been announced against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and the reported travel and movement restrictions have become a central point of concern in the proceedings.
The allegations regarding train cancellations, metro operations and other restrictions were raised by the lawyers during the hearing. The court’s observations underscored the need for the organisers to approach it formally before the legality of the restrictions could be examined.
