Supreme Court hears plea against metro closures ahead of CJP protests.

In a plea before Supreme Court alleging indiscriminate closure of 57 metro stations and cancellation of trains, the Centre has defended its decision, saying the citizens lives cannot be put to risk and its decision is essential to maintaining law and order in the national capital.

CJI Surya Kant has asked the Centre to consider relaxing the restrictions a bit so that citizens day to day lives are not affected.

SG Mehta assured the bench that he would take up the issue with the government, but at the same time some leeway has to be granted to the enforcement agencies. Court has asked the Centre to reconsider and take a call.

The government's order was issued ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party protests scheduled for tomorrow October 10 against the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR row. Notably, the protests have not been granted the requisite permissions.

Today, as the plea was taken up by court on an urgent mentioning made before CJI Surya Kant led bench, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta cited the incidents that occurred during the recent protests organised by CJP over the NEET Paper leak, and told the bench, "On June 20th permission was sought for protests...that was given..A written undertaking was given that the place will be vacated in one day..it continued for 17 days and there were several penal violations..They marched to the Parliament which is a sovereign place..200 plus police officers were injured..the picture which is created today that entire city is paralysed..entire city is closed..internet is banned...that is only for a particular area..from Raisina road..it is a proportional order...lady police officers were molested yesterday...they were being abused...this was also a protest that was not permitted..".

"I will not put at risk the lives of citizens..calls are being given that reach Delhi..", the SG further told a bench comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.

Court was further told that some leeway has to be given to the law enforcement agencies so that they are able to maintain law and order.

During the hearing, CJI Surya Kant observed that court was concerned about closing of metro stations as the citizenry is affected who travel for their livelihood.

"Suppose tomorrow is court..lawyers have cars..but what about the clerks..court staff..for that we would like you to immediately do something..," CJI told SG Mehta.

"I assure your lordships, I will talk to the government and see what can be done," SG Mehta assured court.

When the CJI suggested the use of cameras installed at metro stations, "You have CCTV cameras on metro stations..frisking and all can be done...but citizens have a right to avail the public facility..", SG Mehta said in response, "It will be dependent on how the situation is..".

The petitions before Supreme Court were filed by CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby and other petitioners challenging the curbs imposed by the authorities ahead of the protests.

CJI Kant asked the petitioners before him, why the Delhi High Court could not be approached.The bench was informed that a similar petition before the Delhi High Court, had been adjourned till Monday.

"We must understand what is the ground reality with regard to the protests..if it is not with permission it is not in accordance with law..," the bench observed while hearing the submissions made by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Baby.

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