# Central Government Tenders Unconditional Apology in Supreme Court Over Delhi Net Suspension, Home Secretary Denies Willful Contempt

> Submitting an affidavit in response to a contempt notice, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan apologized unconditionally to the Supreme Court over mobile internet curbs in Delhi, maintaining the action was strictly aimed at law and order.

**Type:** article · **Category:** India · **Published:** 2026-10-15 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/national/rajadhani-men-intaraneta-pabndiyon-para-kendra-ne-shirsha-adalata-men-pesha-ki-bina-sharta-maphi-home-secretary-ne-kaha-janabujhak-47721 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Supreme Court, Central Government, Govind Mohan, Delhi Internet, Contempt Notice, Raisina Hill, Delhi Police

In the matter concerning the suspension of mobile internet services across designated parts of the national capital, the central government has tendered an unconditional apology before the Supreme Court. Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan filed a detailed response late Wednesday evening to answer the contempt notice issued by the top court. While the government expressed complete deference and placed an unconditional apology on record, Govind Mohan categorically denied allegations of willful contempt. He clarified that there was no deliberate intention to violate the judicial directions issued on October 9 regarding connectivity curbs, explaining that administrative measures were taken purely to maintain peace and preserve law and order in Delhi.

## Administrative Compulsions and Public Order Defense
In the official affidavit submitted before the bench, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan defended the temporary restrictions enforced on mobile internet services on October 10 as an essential intervention to uphold public order. The top court had previously directed the central government on October 9 to avoid sweeping bans on services and ensure that any necessary regulation remained tightly scoped so that daily life for ordinary citizens in Delhi was not disrupted. Responding to this, the government maintained that law enforcement agencies had to act swiftly under pressing administrative realities to safeguard critical zones from potential disruption.

## Unauthorised Gatherings and Past Protest Precedents
Outlining the operational factors behind the curbs, Govind Mohan stated that the administrative measures enacted on October 9 were solely aimed at averting a serious breakdown of public tranquility. Security agencies had received intelligence regarding an impending demonstration planned without requisite administrative permission. To illustrate the operational gravity, the affidavit pointed to the law enforcement challenges faced by the Delhi Police during the agitation of July 20 over the NEET paper leak controversy. The adverse situations encountered during that demonstration prompted the administration to take preventive precautions against fresh disruptions.

## Targeted Suspension Confined to Raisina Hill Environs
Clarifying the geographical and operational limits of the suspension, the Home Secretary stated that the Delhi Police had formally requested a one-day shutdown of mobile internet connectivity. The competent authority examined this request under statutory provisions and found it completely warranted in light of prevailing ground realities. It was emphasized that the restriction was neither citywide nor open-ended; rather, it was enforced within a four-kilometer radius of Raisina Hill. The shutdown lasted strictly for 24 hours, commencing at 10 PM on October 9 and concluding at 10 PM on October 10. Crucially, the order applied exclusively to cellular data, while residential and commercial broadband networks as well as Wi-Fi connections remained fully operational throughout the period.

## Plea to Discharge Contempt Notice and Modify Guidelines
Concluding the formal submission, Govind Mohan requested the Supreme Court to recall and discharge the contempt notice issued against him. Furthermore, the Union Home Secretary urged the top court to revisit and modify its order dated October 11. The government pleaded that statutory authorities must retain operational latitude to impose temporary, localized internet suspensions during urgent public safety emergencies, provided such actions remain strictly governed by existing legal safeguards and statutory accountability mechanisms.

## What this means for you
The judicial scrutiny over localized network shutdowns reinforces legal safeguards around digital connectivity and administrative accountability.

- **Across India:** The proceedings strengthen citizen rights against arbitrary digital blackouts enforced under administrative discretion. Authorities across states will now face heightened judicial accountability before suspending cellular connectivity.
- **In Delhi:** Commuters and residents around central administrative zones are less likely to experience sudden disruptions to digital services during localized protests. Essential communications are expected to remain protected as courts emphasize minimal civic disruption.
- **For Working Professionals:** Ensuring broadband and fixed-line services remain untouched during temporary cellular suspensions protects remote work and critical digital transactions. Users can rely on alternative Wi-Fi networks even when mobile data faces brief curbs.
- **For Law Enforcement:** Police and home department officials must strictly document ground justifications and legal thresholds prior to requesting telecom shutdowns. Failure to adhere to judicial instructions creates direct exposure to contempt proceedings.

## Why this happened
The unconditional apology from the central government stemmed from the tension between executive security measures and prior judicial directives regulating network shutdowns.

- **Direct Trigger:** On October 9, the Supreme Court instructed authorities to refrain from blanket bans and minimize public hardship, yet a 24-hour cellular suspension was imposed around Raisina Hill on October 10. This prompted the bench to initiate contempt proceedings against administrative authorities.
- **Intelligence Warnings and Protest History:** Intelligence units flagged an impending gathering planned without official clearance, triggering operational concern. Authorities relied on past difficulties experienced during the July 20 NEET paper leak demonstrations to justify precautionary measures.
- **Statutory Latitude Request:** The administration has petitioned the court to alter its October 11 directives to ensure law enforcement retains lawful, monitored powers to restrict services during extreme contingencies. Judicial review on these operational boundaries remains underway.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Why did the central government tender an apology in the Supreme Court?
The government apologized unconditionally in response to a contempt notice after mobile internet was suspended in Delhi despite prior judicial instructions on October 9.

### 2. What explanation did the Home Secretary provide regarding the alleged violation?
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan stated that there was no willful contempt and the step was taken solely to preserve public peace and law and order.

### 3. Where and for how long were the mobile internet restrictions enforced in Delhi?
The restriction remained in force within a four-kilometer radius of Raisina Hill from 10 PM on October 9 until 10 PM on October 10.

### 4. Were broadband and Wi-Fi services also disabled during the suspension?
No, the suspension was limited strictly to mobile internet data, leaving Wi-Fi and wired broadband connections fully operational.

### 5. Which previous incident was cited by authorities to justify the preventive curbs?
The affidavit cited operational challenges faced by the Delhi Police during the July 20 protest related to the NEET paper leak.

### 6. What relief has the Home Secretary sought from the Supreme Court?
He requested the discharge of the contempt notice and a modification of the October 11 order to permit lawful, regulated internet suspensions during critical emergencies.

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