- The court also issued notice on a contempt plea against Rahul Gandhi over the INDIA bloc's 12 October march into the court precincts.
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said some harassment videos may be AI-generated; women journalists sought an independent inquiry.
- CJI Kant told the court: 'Nobody can browbeat the judiciary.' Hawkers' pleas for lost earnings will also be heard.
On 15 October 2026, a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took up over 40 petitions arising from the protests. It asked the Centre to explain the Section 163 BNSS prohibitory orders, which Justice Bagchi called a 'ghost' because they had not been made public. It ordered all CCTV footage of the protests and detention centres preserved, and sought replies on Jantar Mantar's denotification without passing interim orders.
Claim by claim
Jantar Mantar was denotified on expert opinion, not because of the Supreme Court's 9 October order.
Said by Authorities, as reported by The HinduThe Indian Express reported that the government's affidavit said the move flowed from the 9 October order; Justice Bagchi said the court would examine whether oral observations can be treated as law.
The Hindu · The Indian ExpressSome of the videos of harassment may have been AI-generated.
Said by Solicitor General Tushar MehtaNo specific video was identified as AI-generated in the hearing reports.
The HinduWhat each side says
Senior advocate Mukta Gupta argued protesters must be within earshot of those in power; Gopal Sankaranarayanan sought scrutiny of Sections 163 and 172 BNSS and said 'the police also must be accountable'.
The Hindu · The Indian ExpressMehta said women police officers were also assaulted, urged the court not to pass 'blanket orders', and denied that journalists' devices were seized.
The HinduSenior advocate and BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said the 12 October march was an attempt to 'browbeat' the judiciary and accused other petitioners of 'selective outrage'.
The Hindu · The Indian ExpressNot yet known
- ?The content of the prohibitory orders, which the court has asked to see.
- ?When the court will next hear the batch of petitions.
Sources
2 outlets across the spectrum. Leanings are a rough guide to who reported it, not a verdict on accuracy.
- The Hindu'Enlighten us' on the prohibitory orders, preserve all CCTV footage: Supreme Court directs Centre, police
- The Indian ExpressSupreme Court notice to Centre on dropping Jantar Mantar as protest site
Spasht writes original summaries. Follow the links to read each outlet's own report. Revision 1.