LIVE: NDMC shuts CJP’s protest venue, Connaught Place Central Park, on Oct 16-17

SC orders CCTV footage preservation after October 12 court incident

The Supreme Court bench has ordered the preservation of CCTV footage, including recordings from within the court premises.

Senior advocate Bhatia urged the bench to issue an interim direction to secure the footage recorded on October 12 inside the Supreme Court complex. Senior advocate Arundhati Katju told the court that lawyers had also been assaulted during the incident, reported The Hindu. 

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal called for the CCTV recordings to be submitted to the court.

SC issues notice to Centre on Jantar Mantar protest site status

On a plea to reverse the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site, notice issued to the Centre. The court says it will examine whether there has been "application of mind". Justice Joymalya Bagchi says the court will "call upon the government" to explain the reasons for the denotification.

SC issues notices to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioners

SC also issues notice to Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and others on a plea against march to the apex court over alleged SIR irregularities.

CJI Surya Kant says SC may question petitioner over conduct

CJI Surya Kant also says the court would like to ask "one of the petitioners about his conduct" but doesn't name the person in question.

SC issues notice to EC on Rahul Gandhi’s plea over SIR irregularities

SC issues notice to EC on plea of Rahul Gandhi, others over alleged large-scale voter deletions, irregularities in SIR.

October 10 Delhi protests: SC begins hearing petitions

Supreme Court begins hearing petitions in connection with October 10 Delhi protests challenging restrictions on public transport, alleged unlawful detentions and police action against lawyers, journalists and protesters.

Timely, lawful measures averted major public order situation in capital: Delhi Police to SC

Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar has told the Supreme Court that timely, proportionate and lawful measures taken by the police helped avert a major public order situation during the recent protests in the national capital.

The commissioner, who tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology to the apex court in a contempt case, said that preventive measures undertaken on October 10, when the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) gave a protest call, were based on intelligence inputs and an assessment of the prevailing and ever-changing ground situation.

In an affidavit filed in the top court, Kumar referred to the steps taken by the police administration, including regulation of Metro rail services in Delhi.

“These measures were directed towards maintaining peace and tranquillity and preventing any disturbance of public order in the national capital,” he said.

The efforts made, and the actions taken by the police, deserve to be viewed in the context of the fact that Delhi is the capital of the country and that every national capital carries its own sensitivities, the commissioner said.

“No police administration can permit any breach of public order in the national capital, particularly when a call is given by an organisation with a recent history of mob violence, destruction of public and private property, and incidents resulting in injuries to several individuals and the subsequent events of October 6, 7 and 8,” the affidavit said.

Saurabh Bharadwaj alleges police assault, demands FIR

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday filed a complaint with the Delhi Police Commissioner, alleging physical assault by police personnel and paramilitary staff during recent protests in the national capital.

Bharadwaj demanded an FIR over what he called a "dangerous, life-threatening pattern of physical assault" and sought an independent investigation into the incidents.

"I am writing to file a formal, consolidated complaint regarding three highly severe and dangerous incidents of physical assault inflicted upon me by Delhi Police personnel and paramilitary staff during public gatherings in Delhi," he wrote.

He alleged the incidents amounted to a "coordinated criminal conspiracy to cause me grievous bodily harm or death under the guise of official duty".

Bharadwaj said he would approach the court if the police failed to register an FIR.

The complaint follows a protest called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) last week, during which police detained Bharadwaj and other AAP leaders as they attempted to march towards Jantar Mantar.

Home Secretary apologises to SC over Delhi internet suspension

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan has tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology to the Supreme Court in a contempt case concerning alleged non-compliance with its direction against a “complete prohibition” on Metro and train services in Delhi during a protest called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on October 10.

In an affidavit, Mohan said Delhi Police had sought a one-day suspension of cellular internet services, which was approved after being assessed as proportionate to the situation.

“The request was duly processed and considered in accordance with law and 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,” he said.

The suspension remained in force from 10 pm on October 9 to 10 pm on October 10 within a 4-km radius of Raisina Hill. Mohan clarified that it applied only to cellular internet, excluding Wi-Fi, broadband and other telecommunication services.

“I state and submit that the suspension of internet services for a limited period and within a defined geographical area, subject to the applicable statutory safeguards, is a recognised measure that may be considered for maintaining public order in appropriate circumstances,” he said.

Mohan also urged the court to modify its October 11 order to permit such suspensions when necessary and in accordance with law.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi is scheduled to hear the matter on Thursday. The court had earlier found a “prima facie” case in the contempt petitions and issued notices to Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and DMRC Chairperson D Thara.

The CJP had called the protest to demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral irregularities.

SC told one-day internet suspension was proportionate amid Delhi protests

The Union Home Secretary has told the Supreme Court that suspending cellular internet services for a day during protests in Delhi was a proportionate measure.

The submission comes amid contempt petitions alleging violations of the court’s October 9 order, including the closure of 12 metro stations during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

In a counter-affidavit, the Delhi Police Commissioner defended the restrictions and questioned the conduct of protest organisers. Referring to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), the affidavit said its experience showed that organisers had "completely disregarded the requirement of seeking prior permission", reported Live Law.

The police also cited marches organised by the Indian National Congress on October 6, 7 and 8, alleging that the demonstrations choked parts of Delhi and inconvenienced the public.

The affidavit described the gatherings as aggressive and alleged that some participants, including those it characterised as "people adorning cover of 'freelance journalists'", harassed police personnel.

It also claimed that women police officers faced particular harassment during the demonstrations. The submissions form part of the ongoing Supreme Court proceedings over alleged non-compliance with its directions on protest-related restrictions in the national capital. The authorities have defended the measures, including the temporary suspension of cellular internet services, as proportionate responses to the situation.