Mobile internet to be shut for 24 hours in central Delhi; Supreme Court says Metro must not stop fully
Mobile internet will be suspended around the Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing ahead of a proposed protest, while the Supreme Court has said Metro services must run in a controlled manner.
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An order has been issued to keep mobile internet services shut for 24 hours in an area of about 4 km around the Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing in Delhi ahead of a proposed protest on October 10. The Union Home Ministry has approved the temporary restriction.
According to the order issued by the Delhi Police Special Cell, internet services will remain suspended from 10 pm on October 9 to 10 pm on October 10. The order says the ban will apply to all mobile internet technologies. Telecom companies concerned, including Airtel, Vodafone-Idea, Jio and MTNL, have been asked to comply. The order has been issued under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and the Telecom Services Suspension Rules, 2024.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has directed that Delhi Metro and other rail services should not be shut down completely in view of the proposed protest. The court told the Centre that, to spare ordinary commuters inconvenience, these services should be kept running in a controlled manner with the necessary precautions.
The order was passed on Friday by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant. Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana were also on the bench. During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that the authorities would reconsider the restrictions imposed in connection with the proposed protest.
The protest has been proposed by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The party has demanded that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar be held accountable.
The Supreme Court said the main question in the matter is whether it is proper and proportionate to completely halt rail services at certain Metro stations in view of the protest. The court made clear that there is a difference between completely stopping the movement of commuters and keeping services running in a controlled manner. The bench also said the principle of proportionality must be kept in mind while taking precautionary steps.
The court also clarified that Metro services will not be shut completely. It further directed the authorities to give wide publicity to the decision taken on controlled operations, so that commuters get timely information about it.
