SC Steps In as Delhi Crackdown Deepens, Journalists Detained, CJP Refuses to Back Down

The Supreme Court on Sunday stepped in over the sweeping restrictions imposed in Delhi to prevent protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, directing authorities against illegal detentions and insisting that journalists, lawyers and other professionals be allowed to perform their duties. The intervention has intensified scrutiny of a crackdown that paralysed parts of the capital, detained thousands and raised serious questions about the government’s response to dissent.

A special bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana directed that peaceful, unarmed people must not be detained illegally outside areas covered by prohibitory orders. It also called for normal functioning of Metro and rail services, uninterrupted internet connectivity subject to law, free movement of people and a review of barricades. The court issued notice to the Centre, Delhi Police and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation over allegations of non-compliance with its earlier directions. The matter will be taken up again on Tuesday, October 13.

The court’s intervention followed fresh concerns over the treatment of journalists covering Sunday’s demonstrations. Three Hindi journalists working for The Indian Express were detained by Delhi Police at Connaught Place despite displaying their press cards. They were taken away in buses and released about 45 minutes later at Chhatrasal Stadium, nearly 12 km away. The newspaper reported that police did not cite a specific legal provision or reason for their detention.

Meanwhile, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released on Sunday after being detained upon arriving in Delhi on Saturday. Dipke has vowed to continue the agitation. The dispute over his grandmother’s death remains contentious, with police releasing a video showing officers informing him of the death and offering travel assistance, while Dipke has questioned his access to family members and legal counsel.

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, also released after nearly 24 hours in custody, described his experience as a “kidnapping” and alleged that he was taken from his Gurugram residence without a warrant or access to a lawyer. His account remains an allegation requiring an official response.

A lawyers’ organisation has separately urged the Supreme Court to ensure that protests do not paralyse the city or obstruct access to courts, highlighting the competing rights involved. But inconvenience cannot become a blanket justification for disproportionate restrictions or arbitrary detention.