Supreme Court Metro Station Closure: SCBA President Vikas Singh Urges CJI Kant To Intervene
Court was told today the closure of the Supreme Court Metro Station and several other stations had disrupted access to the court.
Supreme Court to look into closure of Metro stations which has impacted the movement of advocates, litigants and court staff.
Following a mentioning made today before a CJI Surya Kant led bench of the Supreme Court, by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President and Senior Advocate Vikas Singh raising concerns over the hardships faced by lawyers, litigants and Registry staff owing to closure of metro stations in the national capital, the CJI said he would look into it.
Some metro stations are closed amid the ongoing protests in the national capital.
"The lawyers or Registry staff can be screened at the metro. It’s affecting us," Singh told the bench also comprising Justices Bagchi and Mohana suggesting that those with valid Supreme Court identification or proximity cards be allowed to exit the station after security checks.
Responding to the plea, CJI Surya Kant said, “If by lunchtime something does not happen to open it, I will intervene. We have issued that no adverse orders also are passed today for non-appearance etc."
CJI also said that Supreme Court had already taken steps to ensure that parties were not prejudiced because lawyers were unable to reach court owing to the prevailing situation. No adverse orders are to be passed solely because of the non-appearance of lawyers affected by the transport disruption.
“In the metro, there is one advantage, that when they come out of the train, there is an exit point. There they can be screened. People having proximity cards, and Registry staff, can be permitted to come out, and the rest can be told to take the other train and go," Singh submitted.
Responding to the proposal, CJI said “I informed them in the morning. It is up to them to talk to the authorities. He is also exploring this as one of the solutions. By lunchtime, if there is a solution, that is fine. Otherwise, if my intervention is required, I will do"
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced the closure of 16 Metro stations across the national capital from 7.30 am until further orders due to security concerns amid the ongoing Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests.
Among the stations where entry and exit have been suspended are Lok Kalyan Marg, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, Barakhambha Road, Supreme Court, Seva Teerth, Janpath, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, ITO, Delhi Gate, Indraprastha, Khan Market, Jor Bagh and Shivaji Stadium.