Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan apologised to the Supreme Court in the Delhi protest contempt case. His plea for narrowly tailored internet suspensions raises questions about lawful public-order restrictions.
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Newdelhi,Oct 15, 2026 11:48 IST
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan has tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology to the Supreme Court in a contempt case involving the alleged violation of its direction against a complete shutdown of Metro and train services in Delhi during the Cockroach Janta Party's protest on October 10.
In an affidavit, Mohan said cellular internet services were suspended for a limited period in a defined area to maintain public order. He also asked the court to modify its October 11 order to allow such suspensions when necessary and in accordance with the law. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi is scheduled to hear the matter on Thursday.
Mohan said the Union home ministry had received a request from Delhi Police to suspend cellular internet services for one day, until 10 pm on October 10.
"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," he said.
The home secretary said cellular internet services were suspended from 10 pm on October 9 to 10 pm on October 10 within a 4-km radius of Raisina Hill.
He clarified that the suspension was limited to cellular internet services and did not cover non-cellular internet or other 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," Mohan said.
"I therefore respectfully pray that this court may be pleased to modify its order dated October 11 to the extent necessary to permit the suspension of internet services in situations of necessity, strictly in accordance with law and subject to the applicable statutory requirements and safeguards," he said.
On October 11, the Supreme Court said the contempt petitioners, who alleged violations of its direction to ensure there was no complete prohibition on Metro and train services in Delhi because of the protest, had made out a "prima facie" case.
The bench issued notices to Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Chairperson D Thara.
The CJP had called the October 10 protest to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities. The contempt case centres on whether the court's direction was violated, while Mohan has apologised and sought permission for limited, legally compliant internet suspensions when necessary.
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