On Thursday morning, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant expressed his concern regarding the closure of the Supreme Court metro station, emphasizing the potential need for judicial intervention if the station is not reopened by the afternoon. This statement came in response to the issues raised by Vikas Singh, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), highlighting the significant inconvenience faced by legal professionals and court personnel due to the station’s closure.
The situation in Central Delhi has been tense, with multiple metro stations, including the Supreme Court metro station, shut down in light of student protests at Jantar Mantar. The protests were triggered by the controversy surrounding leaked exam question papers, which has drawn widespread public attention.
CJI Surya Kant, accompanied by Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana, addressed the matter during the court proceedings. He assured, “If by lunch time something does not happen to open it, I will intervene.” His assurance came as a response to Vikas Singh’s suggestion that screenings could be conducted at metro stations to ensure security without necessitating a complete shutdown.
Vikas Singh advocated for a more practical approach, stating, “The lawyers or registry staff can be screened at the metro. It is affecting us.” Recognizing the disruption the closure has caused, CJI Surya Kant instructed that no adverse court orders should be issued against lawyers unable to attend hearings due to the logistical challenges posed by the protests and the metro station’s closure.
“We have issued that no adverse orders also are passed today for non-appearance etc.,” the CJI confirmed, acknowledging the practical difficulties faced by the legal community. In response to Singh’s comment about potential judicial intervention, CJI Surya Kant reiterated, “Yes. By lunch if they don’t (open the metro station), we will look into this.”
Vikas Singh’s advocacy underscores the essential role of accessible public transport in ensuring the smooth functioning of legal proceedings and the importance of maintaining open channels for legal practitioners to fulfill their duties effectively. The intervention by CJI Surya Kant highlights the judiciary’s responsiveness to the practical needs of those serving within its ecosystem.
