CJP protest curbs: Home Secretary apologises to Supreme Court; Delhi HC to consider plea against fresh stir

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan has tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology to the Supreme Court in a contempt case over the violation of its direction on Metro and train services in Delhi during the October 10 protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). In an affidavit, he also defended the suspension of cellular internet services in parts of the capital, citing the need to maintain public order.

Mohan said the decision to suspend cellular internet services was taken after a request from Delhi Police and was considered in accordance with the law. The services were suspended from 10 pm on October 9 until 10 pm on October 10 within a four-kilometre radius of Raisina Hill. Mohan clarified that the restriction applied only to cellular internet services and did not extend to Wi-Fi, broadband or other non-cellular internet services.

Describing the measure as proportionate to the situation, the home secretary urged the court to modify its October 11 order to permit internet shutdowns in situations of necessity, subject to applicable legal requirements and safeguards.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the contempt matter on Thursday. The CJP had called the October 10 protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.

Delhi HC to hear plea against fresh CJP protest
Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court on Thursday agreed to hear a plea seeking to stop a fresh protest called by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke at Connaught Place's Central Park on October 16. Senior advocate Sacchin Puri mentioned the matter for urgent hearing before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma, arguing that Central Park was not a designated protest site and that the demonstration could disrupt the area during the Dussehra weekend.

The bench asked the counsel to inform the other parties and return at 2.30 pm, noting that the Supreme Court was also scheduled to take up protest-related issues during the day.

Dipke has urged "patriots" to assemble at Central Park with the national flag, alleging that CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka had been "jailed for unfurling the Tricolour". The call came after Das and Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail for allegedly violating their peace bonds and trespassing into Jantar Mantar, which has been denotified as a designated protest site.

"In the heart of Connaught Place Central Park, a protest is called. It seems we are being targeted. This is not a site (for protest)," Puri said, adding that the area had already begun shutting down and that the protest should be stopped. Noting that the Supreme Court was also scheduled to take up protest-related issues during the day, the bench asked the counsel to inform the other parties and return at 2.30 pm.

Imran Khan asked to leave India
In another development linked to the agitation, Mumbai Police have issued a notice to Bollywood actor Imran Khan, an American national and nephew of actor Aamir Khan, directing him to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. The action followed his participation in an October 10 protest in Mumbai, where demonstrators demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police had briefly taken the actor into custody during the demonstration.

A police official said foreign nationals were prohibited under relevant provisions of the law from participating in political protests or political activities in India. The notice has been served on the actor, and further administrative procedures are underway, officials said.

Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya had urged Mumbai Police to act against Imran Khan for joining the protest, citing his foreign citizenship and seeking clarity on whether he was permitted to participate in such demonstrations.