NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Thursday said he would intervene if the closure of several Delhi metro stations, which has made it difficult for lawyers, litigants and court staff to reach the Supreme Court, was not resolved by lunchtime. The matter was raised before the CJI-led bench by SCBA president Vikas Singh, who pointed out that the closure of the Supreme Court metro station and several other stations amid the ongoing student protests had disrupted access to the apex court. He urged that restricted access be allowed for lawyers, litigants and Registry staff. The Chief Justice also directed that no adverse orders should be passed in any case solely because lawyers were unable to appear due to the prevailing situation. To address the issue, Singh suggested that people carrying valid Supreme Court entry passes, including Registry staff, be allowed to get off at the Supreme Court Metro station after security screening. He further proposed that commuters be screened at the station exit and only those carrying valid proximity cards or official Supreme Court identification be permitted to leave the station. “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,” he said. Responding to the suggestion, the CJI said the Supreme Court administration had already been directed to engage with Delhi Metro authorities to explore the proposal. “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 issue comes after the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) closed 16 metro stations, including the Supreme Court Metro station, until further orders in view of the ongoing student protests.







