Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Delhi Police Detain Protesters, Journalists and Bystanders Ahead of Rally
Police in Delhi detained many people before a protest planned for October 10 at Jantar Mantar.
They took people to temporary holding places around the city.
The people included protesters, journalists, an actor, social media creators and former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Some people said they had been treated badly.
One man said he was only taking a relative to the hospital when police stopped him.
Journalists from Newslaundry and Scroll were later released, according to police sources.
The article describes the detentions but does not give the police’s full explanation for them.
Delhi Police detained hundreds of people ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar.
Detainees were taken to makeshift centres across all 13 Delhi districts, including Chhatrasal Stadium and Rajiv Gandhi Stadium.
Those detained included former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, actor Raj Zutshi, journalists, content creators and protesters.
Fifteen journalists were brought to Chhatrasal Stadium; police sources said detained Newslaundry and Scroll journalists were released that afternoon.
Some detainees alleged mistreatment, while one man said he had been stopped while taking a relative to hospital and was unrelated to the protest.
- Who
- Delhi Police detained hundreds of people, including protesters, journalists, Pinarayi Vijayan, Raj Zutshi, content creators and bystanders.
- What
- People were picked up and taken to makeshift detention centres ahead of a protest.
- When
- The morning and afternoon of October 10.
- Where
- Across Delhi, including Chhatrasal Stadium, Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Bawana and a government school in Shalimar Bagh.
- Why
- The detentions took place ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s protest at Jantar Mantar; the article does not provide a fuller police explanation.
Detainees’ accounts
Police account
Treatment of detainees
Detainees’ accounts
CPI(M) worker AR Sindhu alleged that women protesters’ clothes were being torn and that detainees had been moved repeatedly and mistreated.
Police account
The article does not include a response from police to these allegations.
Reason for being detained
Detainees’ accounts
A man said he was taking a relative to hospital and had no connection to the protest; content creators said they were making reels near Jantar Mantar.
Police account
The article gives no specific police explanation for detaining these individuals.
Journalist detentions
Detainees’ accounts
Journalist Anmol Pritam said reporters were detained while covering the protest, including four reporting at New Delhi Railway Station.
Police account
Police sources said detained Newslaundry and Scroll journalists were released in the afternoon.
- Planned protest
- Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10
- Scale of detention operation
- Police set up makeshift centres across all 13 Delhi districts
- Chhatrasal Stadium
- About 13 kilometres from Jantar Mantar
- Rajiv Gandhi Stadium
- In Bawana, around 38 kilometres from the protest site
- Journalists
- Fifteen journalists were brought to Chhatrasal Stadium
- Released journalists
- Police sources said detained Newslaundry and Scroll journalists were released in the afternoon
- Detainees at Bawana
- Police personnel said 17 men had been brought to Rajiv Gandhi Stadium by 11 a.m.