Live: SC seeks response from Centre, EC on Rahul Gandhi's plea over voter deletions

SC hearing on Delhi protestSC Hearing Delhi Protest Live Updates: The Supreme Court will on Thursday hear separate pleas related to the protests, metro station closures and disruptions in train services that occurred on October 10 against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The petitions are listed alongside a plea by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders challenging alleged large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The matters will be heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. Gandhi and several opposition leaders marched to the Supreme Court on Monday to file their petition, seeking an independent audit of deletions and modifications made during the SIR. They have sought a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, assisted by technical experts and eminent citizens, to conduct the audit within a fixed timeframe. The plea further seeks the disclosure of Election Commission records, including files, minutes, objections and digital access logs linked to disputed SIR decisions, for judicial scrutiny of their legality. The petition has named the Election Commission of India, Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi as respondents. Follow indiatoday.in for live updates....Read MoreSC pulled up Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his conduct on October 12.Oct 15, 2026 13:02 ISTDelhi protest Live: SC orders preservation of CCTV footage from protestsThe Supreme Court directed the preservation of CCTV and video footage related to the protests near court premises.Oct 15, 2026 12:46 ISTSC hearing live: SC pulls up Rahul Gandhi over October 12 conduct, says he must explainThe Supreme Court on Thursday pulled up Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his conduct on October 12, saying he would have to furnish an explanation.Oct 15, 2026 12:36 ISTSC Delhi protest hearing: Delhi Police chief apologises over CJP protest curbsDelhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar has tendered an “unconditional and unqualified apology” to the Supreme Court in a contempt case over restrictions imposed during the CJP protest. In two affidavits filed before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, the commissioner denied any “wilful or deliberate non-compliance” with the court’s orders and sought discharge of the contempt notice. He said cellular internet services alone were suspended within a 4-km radius of Raisina Hill, while metro entry-exit restrictions were reduced from 57 to 45 of the 303 stations after the court’s October 9 order, with full services restored by 10 pm on October 10. The affidavits also stated that those removed from the protest site were released within two to six hours and provided “hot, fresh and good meals”, while political leaders were seated in SHO chambers. The commissioner further said no notice was affixed inside the Supreme Court precincts and claimed that more than 240 police personnel were injured during CJP’s July 20 “Chalo Sansad” march. (Inputs by Bar and Bench0 Oct 15, 2026 11:21 ISTSC to hear Maharashtra voter deletion issue along with main SIR pleasThe issue of the alleged deletion of millions of voters during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Maharashtra was raised before the Supreme Court. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the matter would be heard along with the original petitions challenging the SIR exercise. (Inputs by Sanjay Sharma) Oct 15, 2026 11:06 ISTSC hearing live: Delhi Police cites past CJP clashes to justify denial of protest permissionIn an affidavit filed by the Delhi Police Commissioner in a contempt petition arising from the October 11 protests, the police have defended its decision to deny the CJP permission to protest, citing the potential for a serious law and order situation. The affidavit refers to clashes during the party’s anti-NEET paper leak protests in June-July, claiming the demonstrations had ceased to remain peaceful and violated norms. It also described gatherings between October 6 and 10 as “very aggressive” and alleges they were “fuelled by people claiming cover of freelance journalists." The police have further alleged that “miscreants” harassed women police officers, clashed with personnel, damaged buses and barricades, and misbehaved with police, creating a “serious public order issue”. The affidavit says prior permission for protests is necessary to ensure accountability. (Inputs by Aneesha Mathur) Oct 15, 2026 09:19 ISTDelhi protest hearing: Journalists, media bodies move SC over police actionSeveral petitions by journalists and media organisations are also listed before the Supreme Court, seeking protection for reporters covering the demonstrations. The Free Speech Collective and the Network of Women in Media, India, have alleged detention, assault, intimidation and obstruction by police personnel, seeking safeguards against interference with journalistic work. The Delhi Union of Journalists has also approached the Court, alleging that reporters were detained, assaulted or stopped from recording events during the October 10 and 11 protests. Its petition claims journalists were forcibly removed from protest sites and their phones, cameras and other reporting equipment were confiscated or obstructed, and seeks protection for independent journalists. Separately, journalist Amaan Rastogi has filed a contempt petition alleging wilful disobedience of the Supreme Court’s October 11 directions, claiming he was detained while covering the demonstrations despite the Court’s directions protecting journalists and lawyers from being obstructed in the discharge of their professional duties. (Live Law inputs) Oct 15, 2026 09:14 ISTSC Hearing Live: Pleas over alleged manhandling of lawyers The Supreme Court will hear pleas by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) and the Lawyers' Association for Constitution over the alleged detention and manhandling of advocates during the October 10 protest, reports Live Law. The SCBA has sought details of detained lawyers and the police personnel involved, disclosure of prohibitory orders, preservation of relevant records and safeguards to ensure advocates can access courts and discharge their professional duties. The SCAORA has sought an independent, impartial and time-bound inquiry into the alleged illegal detention and manhandling of lawyers by Delhi Police. The Lawyers' Association for Constitution has also raised concerns over the alleged denial of legal assistance and medical aid, as well as police conduct towards protesters, lawyers and journalists. In contrast, an application filed by Lawyers Voice has argued that the protests and restrictions on public transport disrupted access to courts and affected lawyers' ability to perform their professional duties. Oct 15, 2026 09:08 ISTSC hearing: Delhi Police denies illegal detentions outside notified prohibited zoneDelhi Police has filed an affidavit in the contempt case concerning alleged illegal detentions, road closures and an internet shutdown. The police said no action under Section 65 of the Delhi Police Act was taken against anyone outside the notified prohibited zone. It also stated that the area covered by the Section 163 notification extends across multiple locations beyond the jurisdiction of the Jantar Mantar police station. The affidavit further said barricades were being reviewed and free movement of people had been permitted. (Inputs by Aneesha Mathur) Oct 15, 2026 08:24 ISTSC Hearing Delhi Protest: DMRC says protests led to drop in passengersThe Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chairperson has filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court in the contempt case over metro, train and road closures on October 10. The affidavit states that entry and exit were restricted at only 45 of the Delhi Metro’s 303 stations, while interchange facilities remained open at all stations. Steps were also taken to ensure nearby stations remained accessible to commuters. The DMRC said ridership fell to 32 lakh on Saturday, compared with the usual 58 lakh on a second Saturday, attributing the decline to the ongoing protests. “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 stated. (Inputs by Aneesha Mathur) Oct 15, 2026 08:02 ISTSC Delhi protest hearing: DMRC apologises over metro curbs on Oct 10The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has tendered an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court over restrictions imposed on metro stations during the CJP protest on October 10, while maintaining that the entire network was never shut down. In its reply affidavit, the DMRC said its chairperson, D Tara, had apologised on behalf of the corporation, which holds the Supreme Court in the highest regard, even as it noted that the court had passed its order without hearing the DMRC’s side. The DMRC said 258 of Delhi Metro’s 303 stations remained operational, with entry and exit restrictions imposed at 45 stations. It maintained that there was no reduction in train services, with 271 trains operating 4,157 trips that day. Interchange facilities continued at 14 stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Central Secretariat, Mandi House and Hauz Khas. The restrictions were lifted from 10 pm on October 10, after which all stations reopened, the DMRC said. Temporary restrictions were imposed again at six stations on October 12. Around 32 lakh passengers travelled by metro on October 10, compared with approximately 58 lakh on a typical second Saturday. The DMRC attributed the drop to the protests and said commuters faced considerable inconvenience. (Inputs by Sanjay Sharma) Oct 15, 2026 07:57 ISTSC hearing today: Plea challenges denotification of Jantar Mantar as protest siteThe Supreme Court will take up a plea today that has has been filed in the challenged the Delhi Police's decision to remove Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest sites. The petition, filed by lawyers Lakshya Saini and Tushar Gupta, argues that shifting demonstrations to distant locations could make it harder for ordinary citizens to voice their grievances and violate their right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression. The petitioners have argued that the new venues are far from the city centre and that Ramlila Maidan had already been deemed unsuitable by the court. The decision has also been challenged through an application in a separate matter pending before the Supreme Court. (Inputs by Sanjay Sharma) Oct 15, 2026 07:50 ISTSC Hearing Delhi Protest: Pleas over Oct 10 protests, metro closuresA bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi will hear separate petitions concerning protests, metro station closures and train service disruptions ahead of the October 10 agitation in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The petitions come in the wake of the Supreme Court’s October 9 directions against a complete shutdown of Delhi Metro services or a blanket blockade of roads, followed by a special hearing on October 11. During the latter, the Court issued contempt notices and stressed that peaceful movement and the professional work of lawyers and journalists must not be unlawfully hindered. It is now considering related matters concerning compliance with its orders, alongside separate pleas challenging alleged police excesses and protest-related restrictions. Oct 15, 2026 07:48 ISTSC Hearing Delhi Protest: Oppn plea seeks independent audit of SIRCongress leader Rahul Gandhi and several opposition leaders have petitioned the Supreme Court over alleged large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, seeking an independent audit by a committee headed by a retired apex court judge. The plea seeks an interim suspension of the ongoing SIR exercise, safeguards against voter deletions without notice and an opportunity to be heard, and publication of booth-wise deletion lists with reasons and a gender- and age-wise breakdown. The petitioners, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and other opposition leaders, have also sought disclosure of Election Commission records and digital access logs related to disputed SIR decisions for judicial scrutiny. (PTI)