The Cockroach Janta Party moved a contempt petition in the Supreme Court on Saturday over Delhi commute curbs during a protest. Chief Justice Surya Kant formed a special bench to hear the case on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Chief Justice intervened to secure the release of several advocates detained by police.
A special bench will hear the petition on Sunday, while the Chief Justice intervenes after lawyers' bodies seek the release of detained advocates
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday moved a contempt petition in the Supreme Court seeking action against various officials for allegedly violating the top court's directions to desist from imposing a blanket ban on the movement of Metro and incoming trains to Delhi during Saturday's protest seeking removal of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
In the evening, Chief Justice Surya Kant constituted a special bench comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana to hear the contempt plea on Sunday morning and examine the compliance report the authorities must file on the top court's order.
The petition was filed by CJP member and advocate Shailendra Tripathi, who has sought contempt proceedings against Union home secretary Govind Mohan, Delhi police commissioner Anurag Kumar and Delhi Metro Railway Corporation chairperson D. Thara, alleging that these officials wilfully violated the apex court's directions.
According to the petitioner, at least 45 Metro stations remained closed from 9pm on Friday till 6pm on Saturday. The petitioner alleged that incoming train services to Delhi were stopped and no traffic advisory related to the undertaking given by the government to the top court was issued by the authorities.
CJI intervention
CJI Kant's intervention led to the release of several Supreme Court advocates detained during protests outside the court premises on Saturday.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCORA) wrote separate letters seeking the CJI's intervention for the release of the detained advocates.
"Several senior advocates and other advocates... who were peacefully protesting outside the Supreme Court area today, have reportedly been detained through the use of excessive police force," SCBA secretary Pragya Baghel wrote in a letter to the CJI.
The association urged the CJI to "intervene immediately with the concerned authorities to ascertain the whereabouts and safety of the detained advocates, ensure their access to legal assistance, and secure the immediate release of those against whom there are no lawful grounds for detention".
In a separate letter, SCORA secretary Yugandhara Pawar Jha said the legal fraternity had a vital role in upholding the rule of law and the Constitution.