Centre tells SC Delhi internet shutdown was necessary, denies contempt
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New Delhi: The Central government has told the Supreme Court that the temporary suspension of mobile internet services in parts of central Delhi during the October 10 protest was necessary to maintain public order and was not a wilful violation of its directions.
In a counter-affidavit filed on Wednesday, the Centre defended the shutdown imposed during the protest called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission of India over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. It urged the court to discharge the contempt notice issued to Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan.
The government said the decision to suspend mobile internet was taken on a request from the Delhi Police, which had apprehended a possible law-and-order situation as the organisers had announced their intention to proceed despite being denied permission for the gathering.
According to the affidavit, the suspension was limited to mobile internet services from 10 p.m. on October 9 to 10 p.m. on October 10, within a four-km radius of Raisina Hill. The Centre said broadband, Wi-Fi and other non-cellular internet and telecommunication services were not affected.
The Centre described the measure as a proportionate response to the prevailing circumstances and said such a limited, time-bound shutdown, subject to statutory safeguards, was a recognised measure to maintain public order. It also sought a modification of the Supreme Court’s order to permit internet suspensions in situations of necessity, strictly in accordance with law.
The dispute relates to security restrictions imposed in Delhi ahead of the October 10 demonstration. Delhi Police had denied permission for the protest, citing the short notice given by the organisers.
On October 9, the Supreme Court directed authorities not to impose a complete prohibition on Delhi Metro and train services entering the capital, while allowing regulation where necessary. It also asked authorities to ensure that security arrangements did not cause undue hardship to the public and that decisions affecting transport services were widely communicated.
After allegations of non-compliance, the court issued contempt notices on October 11 to the Centre, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation chairperson D. Thara. It directed them to file responses and compliance reports.
The Centre’s affidavit also referred to the Delhi Police’s experience during a similar situation on July 20, 2026, as part of its justification for the preventive restrictions imposed ahead of the protest.
(Inputs from IANS)