Supreme Court Directs Centre and Delhi Police to Halt Illegal Detentions Amid Crackdown

Gist The Supreme Court convened an extraordinary Sunday hearing to halt illegal detentions and restore civil liberties, internet access, and transport services in Delhi following a massive police crackdown on protesters. The protests were triggered by demands for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner over alleged electoral irregularities. This development is crucial for civil services aspirants as it highlights the continuous judicial balancing act between protecting fundamental rights under Article 19 and validating the State's authority to impose reasonable restrictions for maintaining public order. Background Article 19 1 b of the Constitution guarantees all citizens the right to assemble peaceably and without arms, subject to "reasonable restrictions" under Article 19 3 in the interest of sovereignty, integrity, or public order. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita BNSS , which recently replaced Section 144 of the CrPC, empowers authorities to issue prohibitory orders in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger. Prior to this SC intervention, the Delhi police had invoked these prohibitory orders to clamp down on protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar , leading to…