The Supreme Court today directed authorities to ensure that people gathering peacefully are not illegally detained and that the free movement of people is allowed, subject to traffic regulations. It also called for a review of barricading arrangements in Delhi and directed the Centre to ensure that metro services operate according to their normal schedule and that internet services remain uninterrupted, subject to law and order requirements.

The court said metro and train services should function normally in accordance with the prevailing law and order situation. It further directed that lawyers must not be obstructed from discharging their professional duties.

Issuing notice to the Centre on a plea seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against authorities over alleged violations of its directions, the Supreme Court said it would hear all parties and ensure that no inconvenience was caused.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that entry and exit had been restricted at only 45 of the 303 stations across the metro network on October 10. The court’s directions came amid concerns over restrictions on movement and the functioning of public services in connection with protests in the national capital.

The Supreme Court emphasised that peaceful assembly, the movement of people and the discharge of professional duties by lawyers should not be unnecessarily obstructed, while noting that these activities remained subject to applicable laws and traffic regulations. The court said it would hear all concerned parties before proceeding further on the contempt pleas.