The Supreme Court asked authorities to reconsider blanket transport restrictions in Delhi before the 10 October protests, stressing that ordinary citizens' movement must not be disrupted disproportionately.

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• On Friday, 9 October 2026, a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant objected to restrictions imposed in Delhi ahead of the 10 October protests.
• The Court agreed to urgently hear a plea against the cancellation of Metro and train services and an internet shutdown ahead of the protest.
• It said Metro and train services cannot be completely stopped and asked authorities to reconsider such restrictions in a proportionate manner.
• The Court clarified that the proceedings concern restrictions on ordinary citizens' movement and public transport, not the broader right to protest.
• It asked organisers or protesters with grievances about their right to demonstrate to move the Court urgently.
• Authorities were asked to revisit barricading on roads across Delhi.
• The Court directed that restrictions, barricades and alternative routes be widely publicised through newspapers, official websites and other platforms.
• It also asked the Centre to decide on reconsidering Jantar Mantar as the designated protest venue.
• Jantar Mantar, a government-designated protest site in central Delhi, had been sealed off behind police barricades during earlier protests.
• The 10 October protests were called to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
• On the same day, the Court dismissed a plea seeking an investigation into Delhi Police FIRs over July's Jantar Mantar student protests.

Tags: SupremeCourt, RightToProtest, JantarMantar