Lawyers Detained Outside Supreme Court Released After CJI’s Intervention

New Delhi: A group of lawyers detained by Delhi Police while protesting outside the Supreme Court on Saturday, October 10, 2026, was released after nearly two hours following intervention by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant. The lawyers were protesting to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

The lawyers were taken to the Yamuna Sports Complex after being detained. Their release followed representations made by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA), both of which expressed concern over the police action and sought their immediate release.

The SCBA and SCAORA passed separate resolutions addressed to CJI Surya Kant, urging him to intervene in the matter. SCAORA president Devvrat said the association received communication from the CJI’s office indicating that the Delhi Police Commissioner had been asked to ensure the lawyers’ immediate release.

Devvrat said the lawyers had initially approached the CJI’s office in the morning but were informed that he was travelling. Later, the association received a communication confirming that the authorities had been contacted regarding the release of the detained lawyers.

Supreme Court advocate Shashank Singh, who was among those detained, said the lawyers had been holding a peaceful protest outside the court. According to him, they intended to march towards Mandi House when police personnel took them into custody.

In a separate resolution, the SCBA expressed “grave concern” over the detentions and condemned the reported use of excessive force by Delhi Police. The developments have brought attention to the handling of peaceful demonstrations and the right of lawyers to express their views.

The protest was part of the wider demonstrations against the Election Commission and demands for the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The lawyers’ release following the intervention has added another dimension to the ongoing debate over police action and the right to peaceful protest in the national capital.