New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Thursday took note of concerns raised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) over the closure
of several Delhi Metro stations, including the Supreme Court Metro station, due to ongoing student protests. SCBA President Vikas Singh told the CJI-led bench that the station closures were making it difficult for lawyers, litigants and court staff to reach the Supreme Court. He requested that at least limited access be allowed for those with valid Supreme Court entry passes. Responding to the plea, the CJI said he would step in if the issue was not resolved by lunchtime. "I informed them in the morning. It is up to them to talk to the authorities. He is exploring this also as one of the solutions. By lunchtime, if there is a solution, that is fine. Otherwise, if my intervention is required, I will do," the CJI said. The CJI also said he had directed that no adverse orders should be passed in any case only because lawyers were unable to attend court due to the prevailing situation. During the hearing, Vikas Singh suggested that lawyers, Registry staff and others holding valid Supreme Court proximity cards or official identity cards should be allowed to exit at the Supreme Court Metro station after security checks. "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," Singh said. The CJI said the Supreme Court administration had already been asked to speak with Delhi Metro authorities to explore the proposal. The issue comes after the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) closed 16 Metro stations, including the Supreme Court Metro station, until further orders due to ongoing student protests in the national capital.
