Delhi Police has tightened security across the national capital ahead of a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), student organisations and civil society groups at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Police have denied permission for the demonstration, citing prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Officials have warned that gatherings in violation of the orders could lead to legal action.
Since Thursday night, police personnel have been making public announcements near Parliament, urging people not to participate in the protest. Police have also approached colleges, mosques, resident welfare associations and other public places to discourage participation.
The security arrangements include the deployment of thousands of police and paramilitary personnel, checks at Delhi’s entry points and preparations for detention facilities. Several transport restrictions have also been announced or proposed ahead of the demonstration.
Delhi Police Denies Permission for CJP Protest
New Delhi Joint Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad said permission was denied because the organisers submitted their application on October 7, only three days before the planned demonstration. She said applications were ordinarily required to be submitted at least 10 days in advance.
Police also cited alleged violations of conditions imposed during a previous protest in July.
Section 163 of the BNSS empowers authorities to issue orders to prevent potential disturbances and threats to public order. Delhi Police has said the prohibitory orders apply to New Delhi district and warned against unauthorised gatherings.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the protest would go ahead despite the restrictions.
“I’ll be landing in Delhi tomorrow and will march to Jantar Mantar, come what may,” Dipke wrote on X on Friday.
He also questioned the need for government permission to demonstrate at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site.
The organisers have called the demonstration to demand Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties and activists have raised concerns that the exercise could result in eligible voters being removed from electoral lists. The Election Commission has said the revision process includes safeguards and that people whose names are wrongly excluded can seek enrolment.
57 Metro Stations May Face Restrictions
Delhi Police has asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to consider closing entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations from 9 pm on Friday until the situation normalises on Saturday. Police have also proposed reducing train frequency at the identified stations.
The proposed list includes Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Supreme Court, Indraprastha, Kashmere Gate, Chandni Chowk, INA, Hauz Khas, Jamia Millia Islamia, Shaheen Bagh and Rohini West.
The request does not by itself confirm that all 57 stations will be shut. Commuters should check official DMRC announcements before travelling.
Trains Cancelled Ahead of Demonstration
The Railways has cancelled specified mail and express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm on Saturday.
According to a railway circular, trains departing their originating stations after 2 pm on Friday and due to reach the two stations during the specified period will be cancelled at source. Authorities cited anticipated severe road congestion around the railway stations.
Western Railway has also announced cancellations and rescheduling of selected services, including changes to the Mumbai Central-New Delhi Rajdhani Express and Mumbai Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin August Kranti Rajdhani Express.
Passengers have been advised to check their train status before leaving for the station.
Police are also coordinating with app-based taxi companies to regulate movement towards Lutyens’ Delhi. Increased checks are expected at the city’s entry points, while accommodation providers in parts of central Delhi have reportedly been asked to restrict fresh bookings for people suspected of travelling to join the protest.
The Delhi government has ordered liquor shops to remain closed on October 9 and 10 as a preventive measure to maintain public order.
Security Deployment and Detention Facilities
Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel are being deployed across Delhi. Reports have put the Central Armed Police Forces deployment at around 23,000 to 26,000 personnel, although the exact figure varies across reports.
Police have also prepared blocking points and detention facilities across the capital in anticipation of a large turnout. Stadiums, including Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Bawana and Chhatrasal Stadium, have been identified among the locations being readied.
CJP and student organisations have alleged that supporters in several states have been detained or prevented from travelling to Delhi. These claims have not been independently verified in the material available.
Police have urged residents and protesters to maintain peace and warned that violence or attacks on personnel deployed for security would invite legal action.
Courts Hear Pleas Over Protest Restrictions
The Delhi High Court on Friday declined to urgently hear the Indian Youth Congress’s plea challenging the refusal of permission for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The matter was listed for Monday.
The Supreme Court also heard a separate plea seeking directions concerning the police response to protesters. During the proceedings, the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, stressed that the young protesters’ future also had to be considered.
The legal questions surrounding the protest include the right to peaceful assembly and the authority of police to impose restrictions in the interest of public order.
Opposition Demands CEC’s Resignation Over SIR
The proposed protest comes amid continuing opposition demonstrations against Kumar and the SIR exercise. Opposition leaders have demanded that the revision be scrapped and existing voter lists restored, alleging that the process could disenfranchise eligible voters.
The Election Commission has defended the exercise, saying that entries flagged during draft revisions do not necessarily represent final deletions and that eligible voters can apply for enrolment.
The INDIA bloc has also sought a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu over its concerns. A delegation of opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee, is expected to raise the issue.
With security measures and transport restrictions in place or under consideration, commuters travelling through central Delhi on Saturday have been advised to follow official updates from Delhi Police, Delhi Traffic Police, DMRC and the Railways.
