Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Opposition Questions Delhi Detention of Three Former Chief Ministers
On 10 October, people gathered in Delhi to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
They wanted him to resign because they alleged there were problems with changes to voter lists.
Police said the gathering did not have permission and detained many people.
Three former chief ministers—Pinarayi Vijayan, Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee—were among them.
CPI(M) leaders said Vijayan was kept in a moving vehicle for hours and did not get food or water during the trip.
Police later arranged food after noticing his condition, according to one of those leaders.
Kejriwal and Banerjee also criticised the authorities and called for Kumar to resign.
Police increased security around Delhi, and 46 Metro stations remained closed.
Protests in Delhi on 10 October demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll revision irregularities.
Police said the gathering lacked permission; ANI reported, citing Delhi Police sources, that around 1,000 protesters were detained.
Former chief ministers Pinarayi Vijayan, Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee were among those detained.
CPI(M) leaders alleged Vijayan was driven around for hours and did not receive food or water during the journey; police later arranged food after noticing his condition, according to John Brittas.
Delhi increased security, divided New Delhi into 20 zones with detention centres, and kept 46 Metro stations closed.
- Who
- Protesters, including former chief ministers Pinarayi Vijayan, Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee; police detained them.
- What
- A protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation was met with mass detentions.
- When
- 10 October; the year is not specified.
- Where
- Delhi, including near Kerala House and Mandir Marg police station.
- Why
- Protesters alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls and demanded Kumar’s resignation.
Opposition and protesters
Police and authorities
Permission and handling of the gathering
Opposition and protesters
Opposition leaders criticised the detentions. Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress described their demonstration as peaceful and alleged leaders were taken away in police vans.
Police and authorities
Police said permission had not been granted for the gathering.
Treatment of Pinarayi Vijayan
Opposition and protesters
John Brittas alleged Vijayan was driven around for several hours and could not take his medicines on time. MB Rajesh alleged he received neither food nor water during the journey and called the action unlawful and inhumane.
Police and authorities
The article gives no direct police response to these allegations. It says, according to Brittas, police personnel arranged food after noticing Vijayan’s condition.
Purpose of the protest
Opposition and protesters
Protesters alleged irregularities in electoral-roll revision and demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, an inquiry and changes to the electoral process.
Police and authorities
The article reports the police cited crowd safety, traffic and public access concerns when imposing restrictions ahead of the protest.
- Reported detentions
- Around 1,000 protesters, according to ANI citing Delhi Police sources.
- Former chief ministers detained
- Pinarayi Vijayan, Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee.
- Police explanation
- Police said permission had not been granted for the gathering.
- New Delhi zones
- Police said New Delhi was divided into 20 zones, each with a dedicated detention centre.
- Metro stations
- 46 stations remained closed.
- Vijayan’s reported journey
- John Brittas said the vehicle carrying Vijayan and others was moving from 10:30 a.m. to 2:20 p.m., before they were taken to Mandir Marg police station.
- Protest demands
- The protest called for Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll revision irregularities; the article also cites demands for an inquiry and changes to the electoral process.