DMRC Files Affidavit Before Supreme Court Attributing Reduction In Metro Traffic To Protests; Says 'Ordinary Citizen Adversely Affected'
LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK
14 Oct 2026 3:40 PM IST
In connection with metro closures during the Delhi Protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court attributing reduction in metro travel by daily commuters to the protests.
Filed by the DMRC Chairperson D Thara (IAS), the affidavit states that on October 10, all stations except 45 remained fully operational, but the total number of commuters who travelled on the Metro network during its operational hours was approx. 32 lakh – compared to about 58 lakh passengers on a normal second Saturday.
“It is submitted that this figure was slightly lower than the ridership on a normal Second Saturday. This reduction may be attributed to the protest, which appears to have prompted a large number of commuters to refrain from travelling, and consequently, from undertaking their usual daily activities or attending to their business or private employment," the affidavit read.
The affidavit, filed in response to a contempt plea, also states that with effect from 10 PM on October 10, the restrictions imposed on the 45 stations were lifted. At the outset of the affidavit, the DMRC Chairperson has also tendered “unconditional apology” to the Court.
Another affidavit filed by DMRC General Legal Manager, in compliance with the Supreme Court's October 9 directions, states that metro services remained fully operational on October 10 but the protests adversely affected the daily lives of citizens, with many choosing not to travel.
The October 9 order directed the authorities to ensure that Metro and other rail services were allowed to operate in a regulated manner, rather than being completely prohibited, to avoid inconvenience to the general public.
DMRC contends that the October 9 directions were obtained ex-parte, as the DMRC was not before the Court. The DMRC alleges that the petitioners misrepresented to the court that there was a complete stoppage of essential public transportation.
DMRC stated that there was no reduction in the number of Metro train trips on October 10. A total of 271 trains were inducted into service, and all 4,157 scheduled train trips were operated across the network.
However, entry and exit were restricted at 45 of the 303 Metro stations following directions from the Delhi Police. DMRC said that the restrictions initially proposed for 57 stations were reduced to 45 after the police reassessed the security requirements following the Supreme Court's intervention.
The affidavit further stated that more than 85% of the Metro network, comprising 258 stations, remained fully operational and accessible to commuters. Interchange facilities also continued uninterrupted at 14 of the 45 affected stations.
The Corporation also informed the Court that it had issued regular updates through its social media handles, website and Sarthi app, besides making announcements inside trains and at stations to inform commuters about the restrictions.
“The allegation of a complete, blanket shutdown is demonstrably refuted by the petitioner's own admissions in the Contempt Petition", the affidavit says. It also refers to the Court's order of October 11, where a prima facie case of contempt was observed as made out.
Case : MA Baby v. Union of India and others | WP(c) 63560/2026; Shailendra Mani Tripathi v. Govind Mohan | Diary No. 63858-2026
