Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stepped in on Saturday to secure the release of lawyers detained by Delhi Police during a planned protest in the Supreme Court area, after the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) urgently flagged the incident. The CJI confirmed his verbal intervention, stating, “Yes, on my verbal intervention, I believe they have been released,” adding that he was out of town at the time. The detained advocates, including senior lawyers and women advocates, were released hours after being taken to the Yamuna Sports Complex.

The detentions occurred as a group of lawyers, dressed in formal suits, attempted to march from the Supreme Court towards Jantar Mantar to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration was called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over allegations of voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and changes to Form 6. Police stopped the marchers at barricades on Bhagwan Das Road, and around 50 to 60 advocates were reportedly picked up. The SCBA’s honorary secretary, Pragya Baghel, wrote to the CJI, describing the “grave concern” over the reported use of excessive force against those peacefully protesting.

CJI’s Verbal Intervention Secures Release

The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also apprised the CJI of the situation. Soon after, the Chief Justice communicated with the authorities, leading to the release of the detained lawyers. SCBA president Pradeep Rai thanked the CJI for his “timely intervention” and noted that he had also spoken to Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma, who assured that any lawyer still in custody would be released immediately once identified.

The incident unfolded amid a sweeping security crackdown across the national capital. Delhi Police had denied permission for the CJP’s proposed demonstration, citing inadequate notice and concerns over compliance with conditions during an earlier protest. Over 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed, entry and exit restrictions were imposed at 45 metro stations, and extensive barricading was put in place. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were enforced, with police using loudspeakers to warn against violations. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and other party leaders were also detained shortly after their flight from Mumbai landed in Delhi.

SCBA Condemns Detention, Passes Urgent Resolution

The SCBA passed a resolution condemning the “excessive force against, and detention of, senior and young advocates, particularly women advocates, who were peacefully protesting in the Supreme Court area.” The resolution requested the CJI to “intervene urgently and take up the matter with the concerned authorities so that the whereabouts and safety of every detained advocate are ascertained” and that those against whom there were no lawful grounds for detention be released immediately. It further urged an examination of the circumstances of the detentions and the reported use of force, with appropriate action in accordance with law.

Rai had earlier described the reported detention of Supreme Court advocates from their chambers as “deeply disturbing,” stating that “arbitrary detention and intimidation of advocates will not be tolerated.” The swift response from the judiciary and the bar body underscored the legal community’s vigilance over police conduct during protests, particularly against members of the legal profession.

Legal Challenge by CJP Legal Head Dismissed

Separately, Ratna Singh, the legal affairs head of the Cockroach Janta Party, moved a Saket court seeking registration of an FIR against police personnel for allegedly confining her at her residence and preventing her from joining the lawyers’ protest. In her application, Singh claimed that two cars blocked her vehicle from the front and rear, and police personnel stood outside without explaining the legal basis for restricting her movement. She described the incident as wrongful restraint and confinement, citing concerns over her safety and liberty.

However, chief metropolitan magistrate Abhinav Pandey dismissed the application on Saturday. Singh was released by the police in the evening, as reported by news agency ANI. The dismissal came hours after the CJI’s intervention had already led to the release of the main group of detained lawyers.

The detentions and subsequent release highlight the tension between the right to peaceful assembly under Article 19 of the Constitution and the state’s reliance on preventive policing measures under Section 163 BNSS. While the police maintained that the protest lacked proper permission and raised security concerns, the bar associations argued that the crackdown amounted to an overreach. The SCBA’s successful appeal to the CJI reaffirmed the judiciary’s role as a check on executive action, even as the broader protest over electoral roll integrity continued to draw attention.

What Next

With the lawyers released and the immediate crisis averted, the focus now shifts to the legal ramifications. The SCBA’s resolution has called for a detailed examination of the police action, and further proceedings may follow if the bar body pursues contempt or similar remedies. Meanwhile, the CJP has signalled that its agitation against the Chief Election Commissioner is far from over, and Delhi Police remain on high alert for any further demonstrations. Ratna Singh’s dismissed plea may also be challenged in a higher court, keeping the issue of police accountability alive.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between maintaining public order and safeguarding fundamental rights—a balance that the legal profession itself has now been forced to litigate in the streets of the capital.