Delhi protest: Plea in SC against proposed metro stations' closure, court says must hear all parties
New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) A plea was filed in the Supreme Court on Friday against the proposed closure of metro stations and cancellation of trains to Delhi on October 10 due to a protest call given by the CJP and some student organisations against the CEC.
A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was told by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby, that the entire Delhi has been directed to be locked down and that citizens have a fundamental right to protest.
He said that as per their information, there is an order for the closure of 57 metro stations and cancellation of trains coming to Delhi.
Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi and advocate Prashant Bhushan also joined Sibal and urged the apex court to take note of the proposed closure of metro stations, saying the entire Delhi is being barricaded.
The entire city cannot be shut down because police apprehend something and are unable to maintain law and order, the lawyers said.
Justice Bagchi said if the protest organisers are before the court, they can be asked how many people are expected, they should be unarmed and authorities can be directed to regulate the protest.
"If the protest is without permission, then it is not in accordance with law," the bench said, pointing out that it is not unconstitutional.
Justice Bagchi said that for any restraining order, it needs to hear all the parties and balance the equities.
Sibal, Singhvi, Bhushan and senior advocates Vrinda Grover and Gopal Sankaranarayanan said they will come back at 2 pm with a proper petition against closure of stations, roads and barricading.
