Delhi Police defends 45-station metro curbs, tells SC it complied with directives

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police has informed the Supreme Court that it has taken “necessary steps” to comply with the court’s directives, including measures to maintain law and order and strengthen security in sensitive areas.In an affidavit, Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar detailed the actions taken by the force regarding law and order and security arrangements.Delhi Police said that the national capital houses several key government institutions, making heightened vigilance essential in view of VVIP movements, diplomatic visits and other major events.On October 10, Delhi Police asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to lift the restrictions and resume normal metro services from 10 pm. In its affidavit, the police said the Supreme Court’s directive on metro operations had been implemented.Delhi Police had asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to keep the entry and exit gates of 45 metro stations closed from 9 pm on October 9 to 6 pm on October 10.The police cited concerns over crowds moving towards sensitive areas and the possibility of law and order disruptions. They also sought a reduction in metro train frequency during the period.The development comes after Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan tendered an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court in an affidavit responding to contempt notices.However, he defended the suspension of cellular internet services within a 4-km radius of Raisina Hills for 24 hours, from 10 pm on October 9 to 10 pm on October 10, saying it was necessary to maintain peace and prevent a disturbance of public order.In the affidavit filed late on Wednesday night, Mohan said the Delhi Police’s request to suspend cellular internet services “was found to be a proportionate measure, having regard to the magnitude of the situation and the need to prevent any disturbance of public order in the national capital.”On October 11, a day after Delhi Police prevented the protests, the Supreme Court issued contempt notices to the home secretary, Delhi Police Commissioner and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chairperson over the alleged violation of its earlier order.

Delhi Police detained over 7,000 people across the national capital on Saturday amid heavy security and restrictions over the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.Police had denied permission for the gathering at Jantar Mantar, detaining several protesters, activists, lawyers and opposition leaders attempting to reach the site. Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal were among those detained at various locations across the capital.Security in New Delhi has been heightened following protest calls by various organisations demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.