Supreme Court to hear petitions on Delhi protester detentions

The Supreme Court of India has stated it will hear petitions regarding the detention of protesters during demonstrations held on October 10 in Delhi. The protests were directed against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. A bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana is considering an interim order to ensure the Delhi Metro functions normally, restore internet services, and prevent obstructions to lawyers performing their duties.

More than 200 alumni of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) issued a statement condemning police actions, which they described as ‘arbitrary, illegal, and unconstitutional.’ The alumni highlighted the alleged detention and physical manhandling of Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat, an NLSIU alumnus, by Delhi Police. They also raised concerns regarding reports that over 10,000 people were detained across the country and the suspension of mobile internet services near Janpath–Kartavya Path.

Legal experts, including Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, have raised concerns regarding the suspension of internet services and the detention of individuals traveling by train, citing judicial precedents regarding fundamental rights. A public interest litigation has also been filed seeking judicial scrutiny of the internet restrictions imposed during the protests.