Detention of Four Former Chief Ministers in Delhi Reaches Top Court, Special Bench to Hear Plea on Sunday A petition challenging the preventive detention of opposition leaders, including Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal, during demonstrations in Delhi will be heard by a special bench on Sunday. The detention of prominent opposition leaders by law enforcement agencies during demonstrations in the national capital on Saturday has now moved to the highest judicial forum. Senior advocate and Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Menaka Guruswamy has approached the top court challenging the police action, which saw four former chief ministers being taken into custody. Recognizing the urgency of the legal challenge, the court has agreed to list the matter before a special bench for hearing on Sunday. Plea Highlights Fundamental Right to Peaceful Assembly The petition directly questions the legal foundation of the police measures, arguing that the fundamental right of citizens to assemble and demonstrate peacefully cannot be curtailed through preventive detentions. The plea specifically points out that the individuals placed under restraint have held constitutional posts as heads of state governments. The filing challenges both aspects of the enforcement drive: the taking of demonstrators into custody directly from public roads, as well as the detention of senior opposition figures from their private residences. Jantar Mantar Cut Off as Security Forces Prevent Gatherings The designated protest venue at Jantar Mantar remained entirely deserted on Saturday following comprehensive security arrangements. While thousands of CJP workers attempted to march toward the site from across the city, strict police barricading ensured that not a single demonstrator could reach the venue. The ground strategy prepared by Abhijeet Dipke was effectively neutralized as security personnel identified and detained demonstrators moving toward the area. Key Opposition Figures Taken into Custody Former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stepped out to join the demonstration, but law enforcement intercepted him almost immediately after he exited his residence. The Trinamool Congress also attempted to mount a public demonstration, with former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee leading an assembly of party parliamentarians onto the street. Even as she registered a symbolic silence protest with tape across her mouth, police took her into custody. Former Chief Ministers Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar were similarly detained during the crackdown. Deployment of Thirty Thousand Personnel Across the Capital Security agencies formulated a massive defensive posture, drawing operational lessons from the unrest witnessed during the demonstrations on July 20. To prevent any breach of public order, an estimated 30,000 personnel drawn from the police, paramilitary forces, and the Border Security Force (BSF) were mobilized across Delhi. Aerial surveillance using drones and real-time feeds from CCTV systems connected to central control rooms were deployed to track public movements. In addition to sealing every approach road leading to Jantar Mantar, authorities set up barricades at city border points to conduct rigorous inspections of incoming vehicles. What this means for you The large-scale police operation and the emergency legal proceedings have direct repercussions on transit and public movement across the capital. • Across India: The top court's stance on democratic assembly will set an important precedent for civil liberties and political demonstrations nationwide. Legal observers and political organizations are closely watching how the special bench interprets preventive detention powers. • In Delhi: Commuters across central Delhi face severe traffic diversions and checkpoints due to the lockdown around sensitive venues. Approach roads to Jantar Mantar remain closed, causing disruptions for public transit and private vehicles. • For Commuters: Strict vehicular inspections at border checkpoints are creating extended waiting times along interstate corridors. Travelers entering the capital from neighbouring areas should budget additional travel time. • Security Measures: The heavy deployment of 30,000 security personnel and drone surveillance will remain active across designated sectors. Residents are advised to avoid congested protest corridors and adhere to traffic advisories. Why this happened The developments were triggered by a planned mass gathering organized under the CJP banner, met with pre-emptive security measures by law enforcement. • Call for Demonstration: Thousands of demonstrators mobilized under the CJP banner to assemble at Jantar Mantar to register their protest. Multiple senior opposition leaders, including four former chief ministers, sought to join the demonstration on the ground. • Precedent of July 20: Authorities acted based on security assessments following the disturbances witnessed during an earlier protest on July 20. The police established a fortified perimeter to prevent any repeat of unrest or clashes in the capital. • Preventive Restraint: Rather than containing crowds at the venue, enforcement personnel chose to intercept leaders at their residences and seal transportation corridors. This aggressive pre-emption directly triggered the emergency constitutional challenge before the apex court. Questions & Answers 1. Who filed the petition in the Supreme Court? Senior advocate and Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Menaka Guruswamy filed the petition. 2. When is the court scheduled to hear the matter? A special bench will hear the plea on Sunday. 3. Which former chief ministers were detained by the police? Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Pinarayi Vijayan, and Manik Sarkar were detained. 4. How many security personnel were deployed in Delhi for the protest? Around 30,000 personnel from the police, paramilitary forces, and the BSF were deployed. 5. What is the primary legal argument raised in the petition? The petition contends that preventive detention cannot be used to suppress the fundamental right to peaceful protest. https://trendkia.com/en/national/delhi-men-chara-purva-mukhyamntriyon-ki-hirasata-ka-mamala-supreme-court-pahuncha-ravivara-ko-baithegi-vishesha-pitha-46085 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.