CJP protest: Internet shut down, metros cancelled despite SC asking to ensure services

Ahead of the protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, orders have been issued to suspend mobile internet services within a 4-km radius of the Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing in New Delhi from 10 pm on October 9 until 10 pm on October 10.

The Ministry of Home Affairs approved the temporary suspension, ANI reported. The order covers all mobile internet services in the area.

The CJP is demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has disenfranchised crores of voters along with other irregularities.  

A day earlier, the Supreme Court questioned the proposed closures of metro stations and train cancellations ahead of the protest, calling notifications imposing a complete ban on essential public transport “overreaching”. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, said the entire city could not be shut down in the name of managing a protest. 

The Court asked authorities to ensure that metro and rail services continued in a regulated manner and directed the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), railway authorities and Delhi Police (Traffic) to submit compliance reports within four days.

Before the Court’s intervention, Delhi Police had asked the DMRC to reduce train frequency and close entry and exit gates at 57 stations from 9 pm on October 9. The DMRC later announced that gates at 45 stations would remain closed until 6 pm on October 10, while interchange facilities would remain available at affected stations, except New Delhi. 

Indian Railways also cancelled trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations between 4 am and 2 pm on October 10. A separate report said 38 Delhi-bound trains were cancelled. The Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar Namo Bharat stations were also scheduled to remain closed until 10 pm.

Meanwhile, on October 10, advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi filed a contempt plea alleging that authorities had not complied with the Supreme Court’s directions. He claimed that gates at 45 metro stations remained closed despite the Court’s order, and said he filmed locked entry gates at GTB Nagar and Vishwavidyalaya stations at around 9.30 pm on October 9.

The plea also alleges that train cancellations continued, that revised travel arrangements were not adequately publicised and that police and paramilitary personnel were present at Jantar Mantar around 8.30 pm, before protesters had arrived. It seeks contempt action against Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and DMRC Chairperson D. Thara, as well as the withdrawal of blanket transport restrictions. 

In its advisory, the Delhi Traffic Police has announced that traffic diversions would begin at 6 am on October 10, depending on conditions on the ground. Restrictions could affect 30 junctions and surrounding roads, including Dhaula Kuan Flyover, Mandi House, Connaught Place, Minto Road, Lodhi Road Flyover, Patel Chowk, Rail Bhawan and the Ashoka Road–Jantar Mantar Road roundabout.

Commuters travelling through central Delhi to railway stations, bus terminals or the airport were advised to allow extra time and avoid non-essential journeys. Police said traffic measures could be adjusted in response to real-time conditions.