New Delhi, Sept. 10 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to the Centre and others on a plea challenging the closure of 17 Delhi Metro stations during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protests, with the petitioner raising questions over the legality and proportionality of shutting down a public utility and restricting the movement of the public at large.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana sought a response from the Central government, Delhi Police, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the Delhi government on the plea.

The apex court was told that the closure of Metro stations raised substantial constitutional questions concerning the standards governing restrictions on publ...