Supreme Court order says the issue of law is the difference between what is complete prohibition and regulation of movement.

The court notes Mr. Mehta has agreed to impress upon the authorities to reconsider the prohibition and allow the resumption of the metro and trains in a regulated manner, keeping in mind the principle of proportionality.

The court directs that a considered decision should be taken by the authorities to allow the metro, trains to resume in a regulated manner so that no discomfort is caused to commuters.

The court directed traffic advisories to be extensively published in newspapers and online to avoid hardships to the public on October 10.

-Krishnadas Rajagopal

Advocate Vrinda Grover says police cannot go to hostels. Sankaranarayanan says police have no business asking people not to participate in protests. Senior Advocate C.U. Singh says there is no anticipatory stoppage of the right to protest. He says the government order says trains have been stopped due to the “likelihood of an unruly mob”. 

-Krishnadas Rajagopal

Justice Bagchi said the government can regulate the movement of public transport, but not stop it altogether. He says the stoppage of metro for blocks of time throughout the day amounts to a ban. 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta says he has to consult with the law enforcement agencies concerned. 

-Krishnadas Rajagopal

The Chief Justice Kant asks whether the government can identify an “open space” for protests in the national capital. Mr. Sibal says Ramlila Maidan was taken away. 

Prashant Bhushan says that when the police refused permission for Jantar Mantar, why did they not give an alternative at Ramlila Maidan?

Mr. Sibal says Jantar Mantar is a designated protest site. 

CJI said there are a lot of problems for protestors too presently. Very cramped, no toilets, drinking water facilities, etc., for them. 

Supreme Court presses for the government to relook restrictions on metro, public transport, and rail facilities. 

-Krishnadas Rajagopal

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta counters that there is a background to all this. On June 20, permission was sought by the protest organisers. A written undertaking was given by the organisers to vacate in one day, but it continued for 17 days.

He said, during that time, there were several penal violations. They tried to reach the Parliament, which is not a political building; it is a symbol of sovereignty. 200-plus police officers were injured. Picture that the entire city is paralysed. internet is closed. Internet closure only from Raisina Road to a four km radius, that too, selectively. Women police officers were molested. 

For security reasons, entry and exit at several Delhi Metro stations will remain closed from 9 p.m. on October 9 and throughout October 10, 2026, until further notice. Interchange facilities will remain available at all the affected stations, except New Delhi Metro station.

Senior Advocate N. Hariharan reacts to the CJI’s comments that lawyers may not have a problem with the movement restrictions as they have cars. Mr. Hariharan asks where the road is to drive the cars, as everything has been barricaded

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the court’s concerns about the movement restrictions would be placed before the government. 

-Krishnadas Rajagopal

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the Supreme Court’s primary concern was the hundreds and thousands of commuters stranded by the closure of metro stations and disruption of public transport. He said ordinary people, workers and senior citizens were unable to commute.

The CJI said the court found it difficult to understand the closure of metro stations from 9 a.m. on October 10 and asked the authorities to take immediate steps to address the situation.

“You do whatever is necessary to control anti-social elements. You have CCTVs at the stations. But there is a large group of ordinary people commuting. who have an equal right to movement,” says CJI. 

-Krishnadas Rajagopal

A day before the CJP is to mount a massive agitation at Jantar Mantar, people aligning with a new outfit gathered in central Delhi on Friday (October 9) to denounce alleged assault on police and abusive words used for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at protests.

The demonstrators gathered at Janpath at the call of the ‘Lal Hit Janata Party’, an outfit apparently named after a popular insect-control brand in a satirical counter to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).

“Even if someone abuses an outsider, we tend to stop them. The Prime Minister is part of our own family, and using such language against him is unacceptable. Abusing our heroes, jawans and Delhi Police personnel must stop, and strict action should be taken against those responsible,” Ayan Bhatnagar, who represented the outfit, said.

-PTI

The BJP on Friday (October 9) hit back at the Congress following its attack on the Modi government over U.S. actions affecting Indian IT professionals and accused Rahul Gandhi and his “foreign collaborators” of wanting to create anarchy in the country.

In a series of posts on X, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the guardian of Indian interests.

“Do not forget! Rahul Gandhi openly declared in the past - ‘We are fighting the Indian state’,” Mr. Bhandari said.

A day before the CJP’s protest in Delhi, its founder Abhijeet Dipke on Friday (October 9) slammed the Centre, saying it should shut down the entire country if it is scared of the youth, a statement coming in the wake of cancellation of trains to and from the national capital on October 10.

Talking to reporters over the development, Mr. Dipke said there was no need for the government’s permission to protest at Jantar Mantar, which is a designated spot.

“Shut down the entire country if you are scared of the youth,” Mr. Dipke said.

The Delhi Police have also denied permission to the CJP to protest at Jantar Mantar.

-PTI

Senior advocate Vrinda Grover says there is a right to protest peacefully. J. Bagchi says that permission is declined to protest. 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the measures are to prevent anything illegal. 

Supreme Court asked petitioners to come back at 2 p.m. with details of whether the petitioners had applied for permission for the protests on October 10 for the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. 

Read more here

Justice Joymalya Bagchi points out that freedom of association is a fundamental right. But it has to be seen if permission for the protest was taken; if not, the protest would be illegal. 

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan said the peaceful protest, even without permission, was not illegal, unless something illegal has been done. 

There is no question of cancellation of trains coming to Delhi. Mr. Sibal says forcible measures cannot be taken even before anything illegal has been done. 

Senior advocate Nitya Raakrishnan questions: Is it legal for the police to go from home to home cautioning, across paying guest accommodations, against participating in the protest?

-Krishnadas Rajagopal

CPM general secretary M.A. Baby’s petition was mentioned in the Supreme Court about the complete shutdown of the national capital. 

A battery of Supreme Court lawyers led by senior advocates Kapil Sibal, A.M. Singhvi and others said 57 metro stations have been shut down, the internet blocked, no free movement, etc. 

“What is happening to my country?” Mr. Sibal asks the Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta reacts, saying it is “our country”

-Krishnadas Rajagopal

The Delhi Police have registered 25 FIRs related to the SIR protests in the national capital since October 2, with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra among those named, sources said.

The cases relate to alleged vandalism of public property, assaults and scuffles involving police personnel, obstruction of government work and violation of prohibitory orders imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the New Delhi district.

Police have taken action against protesters following repeated incidents of alleged lawlessness during the demonstrations, a police source said.

- PTI

All Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Nizamuddin Railway stations in the national capital between 4 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday (October 10, 2026) have been cancelled “in view of anticipated severe road traffic congestion” in the areas, the Ministry of Railways said.

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Delhi Police has requested the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to shut 57 metro stations from 9 pm on Friday (October 9, 2026) till Saturday (October 10, 2026), the day of CJP’s protest, citing the likelihood of “unruly mob movement towards sensitive locations.”

In a letter on Thursday (October 8, 2026), Joint Commissioner of Police (Transport Range) Rajneesh Gupta said the frequency of metro trains passing through the stations may also be reduced on October 10, depending on the situation.

The 57 stations include Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Supreme Court, Indraprastha, Kashmere Gate, Chandni Chowk, INA, Hauz Khas, Azadpur, Jamia Millia Islamia, Shaheen Bagh, Welcome and Rohini West.

- PTI

The Delhi Police have denied permission for the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10, citing alleged non-compliance with conditions agreed to during an earlier demonstration, Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Nupur Prasad said on Friday (October 9, 2026), a day before the proposed protest.

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The Delhi High Court on Friday (October 9, 2026) refused to grant an urgent hearing on a plea of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) seeking permission to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise.

The plea was first mentioned on Thursday (October 8, 2026). On Friday (October 9, 2026), it was mentioned again, but not listed.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma refused to list the matter despite the counsel’s urging.

“What is the urgency today? It will be listed on Monday (October 12, 2026),” the Bench said.

- PTI

“The Government of India is adopting heinous means to prevent students and young people from reaching the national capital. Interestingly, the Delhi Police is very active and exuberant. They are even visiting the mosque exhorting them not to attend the protest. It’s a veiled threat at the Muslim community,” says CPI(M) MP John Brittas.

INDIA bloc MPs will meet at the Central Hall of the Samvidhan Sadan at 3 p.m. on Friday (October 9, 2026) and could proceed for another protest against “vote chori”, sources said.

They also said the INDIA bloc has sought time from President Droupadi Murmu, and if they do not get an appointment, “all options are on the table”.

The sources said Seva Teerth, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Vice-President’s residence, and the residences of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah could be the likely options for the venue for the protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls.

- PTI

A day before the CJP is to mount a massive agitation at Jantar Mantar, around 200 people gathered in central Delhi on Friday (October 9, 2026) to denounce alleged assault on police and abusive words used for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at protests.

The demonstrators gathered at Janpath at the call of the ‘Lal Hit Janata Party’, an outfit apparently named after a popular insect-control brand in a satirical counter to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).

“Even if someone abuses an outsider, we tend to stop them. The Prime Minister is part of our own family, and using such language against him is unacceptable. Abusing our heroes, jawans and Delhi Police personnel must stop, and strict action should be taken against those responsible,” Ayan Bhatnagar, who represented the outfit, said.

- PTI

Police officials visited local mosques and market places in Old Delhi and announced that Section 163 of BNSS is in place in the New Delhi area, requesting citizens to not participate in the protest. 

Video credit: Special arrangements

The Congress on Friday (October 9, 2026) took a swipe at the Modi government over the heavy security personnel deployment ahead of the Cockroach Janata Party’s October 10 protest in New Delhi, saying it shows the level of “panic and nervousness” after four days of unrelenting protests by the INDIA bloc.

More than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across Delhi ahead of the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest, a senior officer said on Thursday (October 8, 2026).

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh tagged a post on heavy security personnel deployment in the national capital ahead of the CJP protest.

- PTI

Around 22 female students affiliated with the AISF (All India Students’ Federation), who were travelling from Pune to Delhi, were detained by the Madhya Pradesh police at Itarsi and taken to a hotel. Video credit: Special arrangements.

Minister of Panchayat and Rural Development of West Bengal Dilip Ghosh says, “The manner in which this protest is being conducted, aimed at creating disorder and misleading both the administration and the public, is not in anyone’s interest...”

Attacking the government over the U.S. government’s actions affecting Indian IT professionals, the Congress on Friday (October 9, 2026) said India has a number of options to retaliate but a “thoroughly compromised” Prime Minister Narendra Modi, now under “siege” on “GyaneshGate”, will not do so.

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BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday (October 9, 2026) said the party will question the legitimacy of the Congress-led government in Keralam in the upcoming Assembly session, following Congress leaders’ remarks questioning the validity of elections over the SIR exercise.

“What is the legitimacy of this Assembly? Is this an illegal Assembly or a legal one,” Mr. Chandrasekhar asked in a post on X.

He demanded that Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan clarify the issue on the floor of the House.

“If it is illegal, he should resign,” the BJP leader said.

- PTI

The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has alleged that Rajasthan Police forcibly detained its organisational co-in-charge Deepak Baliyan from his residence in Alwar district on Thursday (October 8) night and manhandled him despite his fractured leg.

According to Mr. Baliyan’s family, police arrived at his residence and said that the local station house officer had summoned him.

Mr. Baliyan live-streamed the police action on social media, following which the personnel left, the family claimed.

The police allegedly returned later and asked him to delete the video.

When he refused, they took him into custody, the family alleged.

In a post on X, Party co-convener Ashutosh Ranka said Mr. Baliyan was taken on a journey of around 100km before he was dropped at his house.

- PTI

At least 70 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), comprising around 7,000 personnel, who are currently deployed in West Bengal and Chhattisgarh, are being mobilised for law-and-order duties in Delhi, ahead of the protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on October 10, according to two official communications issued on October 5 and 6.

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The security cover of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has been further strengthened amid protests by Opposition parties over alleged irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Additional personnel have been deployed outside his Delhi residence in New Moti Bagh Colony, at the Election Commission office and for his personal security.

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The Delhi government on Thursday (October 8, 2026) directed the closure of liquor stores in the city on October 9 and 10 due to the “prevailing” situation to maintain public order.

An order issued by the Excise Department said that the closure of liquor vends was based on Delhi Police inputs as a preventive measure aimed at maintaining “public order”.

The order has come ahead of ongoing protests by opposition parties demanding resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged “vote theft”. A call for protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 has also been given by the Cockroach Janta Party.

- PTI

With the police calling up volunteers, holding meetings with residents and using loudspeakers to announce that prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) are in place near Jantar Mantar and youth organisations going door-to-door to mobilise those affected by the special intensive revision (SIR) process, people are in a dilemma over whether to join the protest on October 10 seeking removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and suspension of the SIR drive.

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