Overview
- The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced on Thursday that 16 central Delhi stations would be closed from 07:30 until further notice, with interchange facilities remaining open at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and Central Secretariat.
- Metro trains continue to run through the affected stops but passenger entry and exit have been suspended, leaving many commuters stranded and forcing detours to road transport.
- The shutdown is a security measure linked to sustained Cockroach Janta Party protests at Jantar Mantar demanding accountability over the alleged NEET‑UG 2026 paper leak and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
- Delhi Police have enforced prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, deployed specialised units and used crowd‑control tactics during attempts to march on Parliament, and activist Sonam Wangchuk has been hospitalised during his hunger strike.
- The repeated closures have disrupted court and work travel, raised fares and wait times for commuters, drawn criticism from opposition leaders and left the timing for a full return to normal metro access uncertain.