Contempt Petition Alleges Delhi Transport Restrictions Continued

Advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi filed a contempt petition in the Supreme Court on October 10, alleging that Delhi authorities continued restrictions on metro and rail services despite the court’s October 9 direction against a complete shutdown of public transport. The petition seeks contempt proceedings against senior officials and withdrawal of blanket restrictions; the allegations have not been adjudicated in the reported proceedings. Tripathi named Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Chairperson D Thara. He alleged that metro station closures and train cancellations continued after the court called for services to operate in a regulated manner. The plea also says authorities failed to publicise clear travel advisories. According to Tripathi’s account, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced that entry and exit at 45 stations would be closed from 9 p.m. on October 9 until 6 p.m. on October 10. He said he visited GTB Nagar and Vishwavidyalaya stations at about 9:30 p.m. on October 9 and found entry gates shut.