Supreme Court CJI's Stern Directive on Metro Station Opening

CJI Orders Immediate Reopening of Supreme Court Metro Station

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Suryakant issued a stern directive on Wednesday, ordering the Supreme Court Metro Station to be opened immediately for the general public and lawyers. He clearly stated that if the station remains closed by Thursday afternoon, the apex court will be compelled to intervene directly in the matter.

This strong stance from the CJI comes in the wake of entry and exit gates at 16 metro stations in Delhi being shut due to security reasons amidst ongoing protests in the capital. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had temporarily closed stations, including the Supreme Court Metro Station, Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Mandi House, and Central Secretariat, based on the advice of security agencies.

Inconvenience to Lawyers and Judicial Staff

The DMRC stated that this measure was taken to ensure passenger safety and maintain law and order. However, the closure has caused significant inconvenience to lawyers, judicial officers, and staff accessing the court premises. Many advocates are reportedly unable to reach the court on time due to the disruption in public transport.

Supreme Court Bar Association Raises Concerns

Vikas Singh, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), brought this issue to the court's attention, highlighting the extreme difficulty lawyers are facing in reaching the court, which is consequently impacting judicial hearings. He urged the CJI to find a resolution to this problem.

The Chief Justice of India has emphasized that any delay in reaching court due to metro closure will not be considered the lawyer's negligence, nor will any adverse order be passed on this basis.

Taking serious cognizance of the lawyers' plight, CJI Suryakant issued instructions stating that any delay in reaching court due to the metro closure will not be considered the advocate's negligence, nor will any adverse order be passed on this basis. He stressed that any situation hindering access to justice would not be overlooked and it would be ensured that no party suffers due to commuting issues.

Balancing Judicial Work and Security

The Chief Justice clarified that the court's primary objective is to ensure the smooth functioning of judicial work while maintaining a necessary balance between administrative arrangements and security measures. Security arrangements in Delhi have been heightened due to the ongoing protests, involving barricading and additional police deployment in various areas. The Supreme Court's stance in this situation reflects its commitment to the uninterrupted functioning of the justice system, which should not be impeded despite security concerns.