Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Among 90 Detained Near Jantar Mantar
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other opposition members protested in New Delhi on October 7.
They were trying to travel by bus to Jantar Mantar.
Police stopped them before they got there.
The protesters sat down near the Shangri-La hotel.
Police moved them from the road and detained around 90 people.
Rahul and Priyanka were taken to different places and released a little after 8 p.m.
Priyanka said police were beating members of Parliament.
The protest came a day after another demonstration at Akashvani Bhawan, which led to an FIR alleging people entered without permission.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and around 90 others were detained by Delhi Police on October 7.
Police stopped opposition leaders and Congress workers travelling by bus towards Jantar Mantar; protesters then held a sit-in near the Shangri-La hotel.
Police removed protesters from the road and took Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi to separate locations; both were released a little after 8 p.m.
Priyanka Gandhi alleged police were beating MPs, while police said the protesters were stopped from proceeding; the report gives no police response to her allegation.
The detentions followed an October 6 protest at Akashvani Bhawan, after which police registered an FIR alleging unauthorized entry; around 260 people were detained that day.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, other opposition MPs and Congress workers; Delhi Police detained around 90 people.
- What
- Police stopped protesters heading towards Jantar Mantar, then removed and detained them after they staged a sit-in.
- When
- October 7; Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi were released a little after 8 p.m. The year is not specified.
- Where
- Near the Shangri-La hotel in central New Delhi, after police stopped the group on its way to Jantar Mantar.
- Why
- The protesters sought to demonstrate and meet election commissioners; the articles also describe concerns about the Election Commission and electoral procedures.
Protesters’ account
Police account and reported actions
Treatment of protesters
Protesters’ account
Priyanka Gandhi alleged that police were beating MPs who wanted to meet election commissioners. The report also describes protesters’ allegations of police high-handedness.
Police account and reported actions
Police removed protesters from the road and detained them. The report provides no police response to the allegation of beatings.
Permission and protest location
Protesters’ account
The demonstration was intended to proceed to Jantar Mantar; protesters staged a sit-in after being stopped. One article describes the protest as taking place at Jantar Mantar.
Police account and reported actions
Officials said police stopped the group before it reached Jantar Mantar. A separate report said the protest lacked prior permission, while the PTI report specifically says no permission had been sought for the October 6 march.
October 6 Akashvani Bhawan incident
Protesters’ account
Rahul Gandhi said he regarded FIRs against him as medals and wanted the number to reach 100.
Police account and reported actions
Police said an FIR followed a complaint alleging that the leaders, supporters and accompanying MPs entered Akashvani Bhawan without permission.
- Detained on October 7
- Around 90 people, according to officials
- Protest destination
- Jantar Mantar
- Sit-in location
- A roundabout near the Shangri-La hotel in central Delhi
- Release time
- Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were released a little after 8 p.m.
- Earlier protest
- Around 260 people were detained after a sit-in inside Akashvani Bhawan on October 6
- FIR
- Police said it followed a complaint alleging protesters entered Akashvani Bhawan premises without permission
- Different detention locations
- Rahul Gandhi was taken to Barakhamba police station; Priyanka Gandhi was taken to Chhatrasal Stadium, according to officials
