The Supreme Court of India has established a structured framework to adjudicate a series of petitions concerning street protests in Delhi, police conduct, protections for journalists, and the Election Commission's SIR initiative. On 15 October, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi examined the diverse range of pleas and decided to compartmentalise the matters rather than hearing them as a single unstructured batch. The bench issued notices to the Union government and designated regulatory agencies, setting specific calendar dates for each issue.
Appointment of Nodal Counsel to Categorise Petitions
Recognising the procedural complexity stemming from dozens of distinct writ petitions, the bench directed the appointment of nodal counsel representing both the petitioners and the Central government. These nodal advocates have been tasked with cataloguing and grouping all related petitions based on subject matter by 28 October. The objective of this exercise is to enable the Union government and other statutory bodies to file focused, comprehensive counter-affidavits for each cluster of cases, thereby streamlining courtroom arguments and avoiding overlapping submissions.
Hearings on Delhi Protests and Police Action on 3 November
The core dispute concerning police intervention against demonstrators in the national capital and the regulations governing designated demonstration sites at Jantar Mantar has been scheduled for a substantive hearing on 3 November. Notices have already been dispatched to the Central government to state its position. The court aims to examine whether administrative measures enforced during public demonstrations respected constitutional safeguards or whether excessive force and unwarranted curbs were placed on civil assemblies.
Preservation of Digital Records and Prohibitory Directives
To ensure that the judicial review rests on untampered evidence, the Supreme Court issued strict directions to investigative agencies to safeguard all relevant closed-circuit television recordings and digital materials in their custody. The bench explicitly permitted private parties and citizens who possess verifiable footage, audio files, or digital records pertaining to the incidents to tender them before the court for proper scrutiny.
Furthermore, the bench directed the Central government to place on record all prohibitory orders promulgated in Delhi under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The government must formally present the order dated 23 August 2026, alongside other related executive notifications. This documentation will allow the court to assess the legal justifications cited by administrative authorities when curtailing assemblies in the capital.
Rahul Gandhi's Petitions and SIR Drive Scheduled for 27 October
Petitions concerning the Election Commission's SIR drive, along with related matters involving Rahul Gandhi, will be taken up by the bench on 27 October. The Supreme Court issued formal notices seeking responses from the concerned authorities and ordered that these fresh filings be tagged with an existing, previously instituted matter on the subject. This consolidation ensures that all legal challenges touching upon the electoral initiative and connected first information reports are adjudicated concurrently.
Explanation Demanded Regarding Sanjay Raut's Conduct
In one of the petitions challenging the SIR drive, Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut has been named as the sixth petitioner. During the proceedings, the bench raised serious questions regarding his conduct. Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi conditionally accepted his inclusion in the petition, subject to him tendering a formal explanation to the court regarding remarks he had made concerning the Chief Justice and the broader judicial institution. The bench made it evident that his plea would proceed only upon reviewing his clarification regarding those public statements.
Interim Relief for Female Journalist Pending 5 November Hearing
Addressing the safety and statutory rights of working media personnel, the Supreme Court passed protective orders in favour of a female journalist who had lodged a complaint alleging sexual harassment. The bench directed authorities to refrain from initiating any coercive action against the journalist while her grievance remains under judicial consideration. The Central government has been given two weeks to file its counter-affidavit, with the next detailed hearing listed for 5 November. The interim order underscores the court's concern that reporting personnel and complainants should not face administrative retribution while seeking redress.
Scrutiny of BNSS Sections 163 and 172 Slated for 19 November
The constitutional scrutiny of executive powers under the newly enacted Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita will culminate in a dedicated hearing on 19 November. On that day, the bench will examine petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Section 172 of the BNSS. In tandem, two separate petitions questioning the sweeping application of prohibitory measures under Section 163 of the BNSS have also been deferred to 19 November. The bench will evaluate whether these statutory powers grant excessive administrative discretion or infringe upon constitutionally guaranteed personal and expressive liberties.
