'Remove Barricades Unless Warranted': Supreme Court To Centre Amid CJP Protest: news

Supreme Court Directs Centre to Remove Barricades Across Delhi Amid CJP Protest

The Supreme Court of India instructed the Central Government and law enforcement authorities to remove barricades across the national capital unless they are “absolutely warranted” and strictly necessary for maintaining public order. The directive came during a special hearing addressing severe transit disruptions, widespread detentions, and movement restrictions imposed in response to the Citizen’s Judicial Platform (CJP) protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar.

Key Rulings and Directives

• Restoration of Public Movement: The bench emphasized that normal movement of citizens must not be paralyzed by blanket security arrangements. Barricades and check-posts erected across key roads and access corridors must be dismantled immediately, except where specific, documented security threats warrant their use.

  NDTV

• Metro Operations and Transport: Taking note of widespread commuter disruption caused by the closure of dozens of Delhi Metro stations, the court accepted the Centre’s assurance that Delhi Metro operations would be normalized and remain fully functional without arbitrary shutdowns.

  India Today

• Access to Justice and Legal Counsel: The court explicitly ordered that advocates and litigants must not face hindrances or blockades when accessing the Supreme Court, the Delhi High Court, or district courts. Authorities were also instructed to ensure detained lawyers are released and permitted to discharge their professional duties unhindered.

  India Today

• Communication Services: Addressing petitions against localized internet shutdowns and communication blackouts, the court stressed that essential digital connectivity must remain active and restored wherever suspended.

Background and Legal Scrutiny

The directives follow an urgent legal challenge brought forward by senior advocates representing citizens, legal professionals, and demonstrators against preventive detentions and extensive traffic cordons deployed across Delhi. While the bench reiterated that the right to peaceful protest operates within regulatory frameworks like the Delhi Police Act, security countermeasures must remain proportionate and avoid turning routine civic movement into an administrative blockade. The court sought a comprehensive status report from authorities regarding allegations of excessive police action, with further hearings scheduled to monitor compliance.