Six prominent Delhi Metro stations were shut down for several hours on October 12, 2026, as opposition parties embarked on a march to the Supreme Court. The closures, announced by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), coincided with a planned demonstration against alleged electoral discrepancies.
Metro Stations Affected by Closures
The entry and exit gates at Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, and Barakhamba Road metro stations were closed from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The DMRC stated that the decision was made for security reasons, with security agencies reviewing the situation throughout the day. Crucially, interchange facilities remained operational at all these stations, allowing commuters to switch lines without exiting.
Opposition's March for Democracy
The transit restrictions were implemented as opposition leaders prepared for the "Chalo Delhi - March for Democracy." This agitation aimed to escalate street protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing concerns over "vote chori" and other electoral discrepancies. The key demands included the immediate resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, an immediate halt to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, and a return to paper ballots for elections.
CJI Declines Meeting with Opposition Leaders
Senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, had sought an administrative meeting with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to submit a formal memorandum detailing their grievances. However, the Chief Justice declined the request, citing that similar matters were already sub judice before the court. CJI Surya Kant reportedly advised the opposition leadership to instead file a formal petition on the judicial side, which could be taken up for hearing.