Supreme Court Receives PIL Challenging Central Delhi Internet Shutdown During Protests

A public-interest petition filed in the Supreme Court seeks judicial scrutiny of a 24-hour mobile-internet suspension imposed in part of central Delhi during protests on 9 and 10 October 2026.

Background

Advocate Narendra Kumar Goswami filed the petition under Article 32. The reported restriction applied within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing from 10 pm on 9 October until 10 pm on 10 October. The petition concerns the legality of the executive decision-making process, not a request to restore a suspension that has already expired.

Legal issue

The petitioner wants the original signed suspension order, its recorded reasons, the material relied upon to show a public emergency or public-safety necessity, publication particulars and records of statutory review. He also asks whether less restrictive lawful measures were considered. These are matters raised by the petitioner; the Court has not yet found that the suspension lacked authority.

Court reasoning and significance

The petition places particular emphasis on procedural safeguards governing restrictions on digital communications. It seeks scrutiny of whether the decision was reasoned, proportionate and reviewed in the prescribed manner. It also acknowledges the existence of connected litigation about transport, detentions and protest restrictions and requests coordinated consideration if the same Bench is already dealing with the telecommunications issue.

Decision and next step

No final ruling on the validity of the internet restriction was reported at the time of publication. The immediate development is the filing of a constitutional challenge and a request for disclosure of the official decision-making record.