Story perspectives

Chief Justice Orders Action After Protesters Denied Water

By Drooid · Oct 13, 2026, 4:21 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Chief Justice Urges Water

Chief Justice Surya Kant said courts must intervene when constitutional rights are violated, speaking on Oct 12, 2026.
He noted the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has registered over 24 lakh cases.
He said the NHRC disposed of more than 23 lakh cases, achieving a 98 percent disposal rate.
He urged courts and the NHRC to guarantee safe, reliable drinking water.
He warned detained Delhi protesters were denied water for eight or more hours.

Summary

SCBA Demands Intervention

Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) urged the Chief Justice to intervene in lawyer detentions.
SCBA secretary Pragya Baghel wrote to the Chief Justice requesting safety checks for detained advocates.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Chief Justice of the arrests prompting verbal intervention.
Mamata Banerjee alleged police kidnapped her and drove her two hours to Dwarka North.
Protesters targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter-list manipulation.

History

Historical Context

During the 1976 Supreme Court judgment in ADM Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla, a 4-to-1 bench upheld the suspension of habeas corpus throughout Indira Gandhi’s Emergency (1975-77), with Justice Hans Raj Khanna dissenting. Today, Chief Justice Surya Kant’s appeal for judicial action in water-denial protests echoes that legacy, prompting the SCBA and NHRC to demand safeguards against similar rights erosion.

1 of 3

Chief Justice Urges Water

Chief Justice Surya Kant said courts must intervene when constitutional rights are violated, speaking on Oct 12, 2026.
He noted the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has registered over 24 lakh cases.
He said the NHRC disposed of more than 23 lakh cases, achieving a 98 percent disposal rate.
He urged courts and the NHRC to guarantee safe, reliable drinking water.
He warned detained Delhi protesters were denied water for eight or more hours.

1 / 3