Government Apologises to Supreme Court Over October 10 Delhi Restrictions, Denies Deliberate Defiance

Mohan explained that the Centre’s communication issued on October 9 was intended to preserve peace and prevent any disruption of public order. He cited a proposed protest that allegedly lacked the necessary permission, along with the Delhi Police’s experience managing the July 20 demonstration over the NEET paper leak, as factors behind the decision.

The Supreme Court’s October 9 directive had instructed the Centre to withdraw a blanket prohibition on certain services and impose restrictions only to the extent necessary to prevent inconvenience to Delhi’s residents. Addressing the suspension of mobile internet services, Mohan stated that the Delhi Police had requested a shutdown lasting one day. He said the proposal was processed in accordance with the law and considered proportionate to the circumstances prevailing at the time.

According to his submission, the suspension operated from 10 pm on October 9 until 10 pm on October 10 within a four-kilometre radius of Raisina Hill. The measure was limited to cellular internet connections, with Wi-Fi and broadband services remaining unaffected. Mohan has requested that the contempt notice against him be discharged. He has also sought a modification of the Supreme Court’s October 11 order to allow internet services to be suspended in situations where authorities consider such action necessary, provided the relevant statutory safeguards are followed.