Supreme Court notice to Center on closure of metro stations during CJP protest

The Supreme Court has issued notices to the respondents Union and Delhi governments, Delhi Police and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on a petition filed by Sparsh Kant Nayak, a resident of the national capital. | Photo credit: The Hindu

The Supreme Court on Thursday (September 10, 2026) asked the Center to respond to a petition challenging the closure of 17 Delhi Metro stations during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests held in central Delhi over the NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak.

The agitation eventually led to the resignation of the then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant issued notice to the respondents to the Union and Delhi governments, the Delhi Police and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation in an application filed by Sparsh Kant Nayak, a resident of the national capital.

The court initially pointed out that the role of judicial review in the subject matter of the dispute was limited because the issue of maintaining law and order fell within the purview of the executive.

Justice Joyalya Bagchi on the bench said the court would only intervene if the executive’s exercise of powers was found to be grossly disproportionate.

However, the court agreed to hear the respondents whether the exercise of the power was within reasonable limits and in the public interest.

“Standard operating procedures in such cases are actually a mirage. When it comes to such issues, the courts have subordinated themselves to the executive authority. The courts only intervene when it becomes unreasonable. So we will have to examine the manner in which the discretion is exercised,” Justice Bagchi said.

The closure of metro stations for security reasons has severely affected commuter traffic and affected the public’s right to free movement in the national capital. The petition states that there is no provision in the Metro Rail Act that allows the closure of stations. She said communication about the closure was through social media. The cause of action questioned whether there was any legal procedure for closing subway stations.

At one point during the hearing, the court noted that traffic and commuting restrictions are usually issued by the Commissioner of Police or Inspector of Police under the relevant laws.

Published – 10 Sep 2026 23:25 IST