In an affidavit filed with the Supreme Court, Mohan said Delhi Police had requested the suspension of cellular internet services for one day, until 10pm on 10 October.
TBS Report
15 October, 2026, 02:35 pm
Last modified: 15 October, 2026, 02:39 pm
Indian Home Secretary Govind Mohan has tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology to the Supreme Court in a contempt case over the alleged violation of the court's direction to ensure there was no "complete prohibition" on Metro and train services in Delhi during a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on 10 October.
The CJP had called for the protest to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities in the Special Intensive Review of the voters' list.
In an affidavit filed with the Supreme Court, Mohan said Delhi Police had requested the suspension of cellular internet services for one day, until 10pm on 10 October.
"The request was duly processed and considered in accordance with law and was found to be a proportionate measure, having regard to the magnitude of the situation and the need to prevent any disturbance of public order in the national capital," Mohan said.
He said cellular internet services were suspended from 10pm on 9 October until 10pm on 10 October within a 4km radius of Raisina Hill.
Mohan clarified that the suspension applied only to cellular internet services and did not extend to non-cellular internet services or telecommunications services such as Wi-Fi and broadband.
"I state and submit that the suspension of internet services for a limited period and within a defined geographical area, subject to the applicable statutory safeguards, is a recognised measure that may be considered for maintaining public order in appropriate circumstances," he said.
On 11 October, the Supreme Court said the petitioners in the contempt case had established a "prima facie" case over alleged violations of its direction to ensure that Metro and train services in Delhi were not completely shut down because of the protest.
The bench issued notices to Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Chairperson D Thara.