The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has told the Supreme Court that there was no complete ban on metro services on the day of the proposed protests at Jantar Mantar.
It said that only 45 of its 303 stations were closed for entry and exit on October 10, after the Supreme Court on October 9 ordered that there shall be no outright prohibition on the movement of metro trains.
DMRC Chairperson D Thara has also tendered an "unconditional apology" in an affidavit filed in response to a contempt notice issued on October 11.
On October 9, a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant took up an oral mentioning against Delhi Police communications. These had asked DMRC to shut entry and exit gates at 57 stations and reduce train frequency. The Court said that the notifications appeared "overreaching, as they impose a complete ban upon essential public transportation."
The Bench had clarified there "shall be no outright prohibition on the movement of Metro trains". It said that any regulated arrangement should be "widely publicised". DMRC, the Railways and Delhi Police (Traffic) were directed to file compliance reports within four days.
In a special Sunday hearing on October 11, the Court was informed that metro stations were still closed despite its orders. It thus said that a prima facie case of contempt of court has been made out over the alleged violation of its October 9 direction.
In her affidavit, Thara said the order had been complied with "in letter and spirit". She said that the matter was taken up ex-parte, as DMRC had neither been served nor appeared.
The police notification, she said, "did not impose a complete ban on public transportation. It merely directed the closure of 57 out of the 303 stations for entry and exit purposes."
After the Court's order, the police cut the list to 45 stations, dropping 12, the affidavit said. DMRC claimed there was "zero reduction in the total volume of metro operation". It said that 271 trains ran 4,157 trips on the standard Saturday schedule.
According to DMRC, 14 interchange stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Kashmere Gate and Central Secretariat, continued to allow passengers to change lines. Exit gates stayed open at Vishwavidyalaya, it said, and Gate No. 3 was kept open at GTB Nagar.
DMRC added that ridership on October 10 was about 32 lakh, against about 58 lakh on a normal Second Saturday. It described the figure as "slightly lower" and attributed the drop to the protest. It claimed that the numbers showed "the adverse impact of the protest on the lives of ordinary citizens."
The restrictions were lifted at 10 PM on October 10. On October 12, DMRC closed six stations from 6 AM to 5 PM on fresh police communications: Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road.
On publicity, DMRC cited updates on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. It also pointed to announcements in trains and stations, signage at gates and its website and Sarthi app.
DMRC told the Court it "shall act strictly in accordance with the assessments made and directions issued by the law enforcement agencies".
Thara has urged the Court to discharge the contempt notice.