India, Oct. 12 -- Orders withdrawal of Section 163 curbs on large gatherings

The Supreme Court, in a special sitting on Sunday, ordered that Delhi's Metro and railway services run normally, internet access remain uninterrupted, and barricades be reviewed immediately, while hearing challenges to restrictions imposed ahead of protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. It also told the authorities to withdraw the enforcement of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, which bans large gatherings.

A bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana also directed that authorities must not detain peaceful, unarmed protesters except through the procedure established by law, particularly outside areas co...