Supreme Court seeks Centre's response on Metro station closures during protests

The Supreme Court of India has sought a detailed response from the Centre following the closure of several Delhi Metro stations during recent protests. A bench of the court issued notice to the government, asking for clarification on the measures taken and their justification.

The court's intervention comes amid concerns about the impact of such closures on commuters and the exercise of executive discretion. During the hearing, the bench made clear that judicial review would be limited to examining whether the government's actions were grossly disproportionate to the circumstances that prompted them.

The closure of public transport facilities during demonstrations has been a recurring issue in the national capital. The court's notice suggests it is willing to examine whether such measures strike an appropriate balance between maintaining public order and ensuring citizens' right to movement.

The case underscores the ongoing tension between security considerations and civil liberties in managing large-scale public protests. The government is expected to file its response detailing the specific reasons for the Metro closures and the assessment that led to such decisions.