New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stated on Thursday that he will intervene if necessary to resolve commuter difficulties after the Supreme Court Bar Association highlighted that the closure of multiple metro stations is hindering access for lawyers and litigants.

Supreme Court Bar Association President Vikas Singh raised the issue regarding the shutdown of the Supreme Court Metro station and other transit points during student demonstrations early in the morning, requesting that restricted entry be maintained for legal practitioners, court personnel, and litigants.

The Chief Justice noted that instructions have already been issued to ensure that no adverse rulings are handed down in any matter solely due to the absence of lawyers affected by the disruptions.

Singh suggested that individuals possessing legitimate Supreme Court credentials, such as Registry employees, could be permitted to disembark at the Supreme Court station following security checks. He explained that commuters exiting the platform could undergo screening, restricting departures exclusively to those carrying valid proximity cards or official identification.

"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 submitted to the bench.

The Chief Justice replied that the apex court administration has already been instructed to liaise with Delhi Metro officials to evaluate the recommendation.

"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 Chief Justice remarked.

The proceedings followed an announcement earlier in the day by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation confirming the indefinite closure of 16 stations, including the Supreme Court station, amidst ongoing student protests.

PTI