Guwahati: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Thursday tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology to the Supreme Court in a contempt case concerning restrictions imposed ahead of the October 10 protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in New Delhi.

In an affidavit, Mohan said the Delhi Police had requested a one-day suspension of cellular internet services around Jantar Mantar to prevent potential disturbances to public order. He said the request was processed in accordance with the law and considered proportionate given the scale of the situation.

According to the affidavit, cellular internet services were suspended from 10 pm on October 9 to 10 pm on October 10 within a four-kilometre radius of Raisina Hill.

Mohan clarified that the restriction applied only to cellular internet services and did not cover non-cellular internet connections or telecommunications services such as Wi-Fi and broadband.

He submitted that temporary internet suspensions within defined geographical areas could be used to maintain public order in appropriate circumstances, provided the applicable legal safeguards were followed.

The Home Secretary also urged the Supreme Court to modify its October 11 order to the extent necessary to permit internet suspensions in situations of necessity, subject to statutory requirements and safeguards.

The apology comes amid contempt proceedings over alleged non-compliance with the court’s direction that there should be no “complete prohibition” on Metro and train services in Delhi in connection with the October 10 protest.

On October 11, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that the petitioners had made out a prima facie case of contempt. The court issued notices to Mohan, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation chairperson D Thara.

The court’s proceedings followed allegations that restrictions imposed in connection with the protest violated its directions on maintaining public transport services.

The CJP had called the October 10 protest to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities.

The matter was listed for hearing before the Supreme Court bench on Thursday.