New Delhi, July 23, 2026

The closure of multiple Delhi Metro stations during ongoing student protests has drawn the attention of the Supreme Court, highlighting the challenge of maintaining public security while ensuring uninterrupted access to essential institutions. The issue gained significance as lawyers and court staff reported difficulties in reaching the apex court due to the transport restrictions.

Several Metro stations in central Delhi have remained shut over the past few days as protests at Jantar Mantar, led by the social media platform Congress Janta Party, intensified. On Thursday, at least 16 Metro stations, including the Supreme Court Metro station, remained closed. During the proceedings, Supreme Court Bar Association President Vikas Singh raised the matter before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, saying that lawyers and Registry staff were facing delays in reaching the court. He proposed that people carrying valid Supreme Court entry passes and Registry staff should be allowed to exit at the Supreme Court Metro station after security screening. "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. So people will be able to use the train also," Singh submitted.

Responding to the concern, the Chief Justice said that the Supreme Court administration had already taken up the issue with the Metro authorities. He assured the Bar that if the matter remained unresolved by lunchtime, he would personally intervene. "If by lunchtime something does not happen to open the Metro station, I will intervene. We have directed that no adverse orders should be passed today for non-appearance of lawyers etc," the Chief Justice stated.

The Delhi Metro had earlier announced that 16 stations, including the Supreme Court Metro station, would remain closed until further orders. The developments underline the broader impact of the ongoing protests, as authorities continue to address security concerns while ensuring that essential services and judicial proceedings face minimal disruption.