Metro Update: Solicitor General Says Entry And Exit Were Restricted At 45 Stations

The Supreme Court hearing on restrictions imposed during Delhi’s protest-related developments continued, with lawyers questioning the closure of metro station entrances and exits, preventive detentions and restrictions on movement around the court premises. Senior advocate and TMC Rajya Sabha MP Menaka Guruswamy reportedly argued that several stations, including GTB Nagar and the university station serving North Campus, were made inaccessible to commuters. She also cited the detention of thousands of people, including lawyers and political leaders. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing Delhi Police, told the court that metro services had continued operating and that entry and exit were restricted at 45 of Delhi’s 303 stations, rather than all stations being shut. He said all stations had reopened by 10 PM the previous night. He also maintained that the restrictions were precautionary measures intended to address security concerns, not to deliberately inconvenience the public. The issue of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita outside the Supreme Court also came up, with lawyers seeking its removal from the area. Mehta said he would seek instructions from Delhi Police on the matter. The discussion also revisited the possibility of identifying an alternative location for demonstrations. The court had previously suggested that authorities consider a designated venue where peaceful protests could take place without affecting sensitive areas near Parliament and government offices. The balance between citizens’ right to protest, public convenience and security remained central to the proceedings.