Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Activists Allegedly Detained Ahead of Delhi Protest
A group called the Cockroach Janta Party planned a protest in Delhi.
They wanted the country's chief election official to resign and an electoral-roll review to stop.
At least 23 people travelling to the protest were reportedly detained in three Madhya Pradesh cities.
Some of them were students and young activists, while two were workers returning home.
Activists said some people were held for many hours, but the articles do not include the police's explanation.
Two students began a hunger strike in Itarsi.
Five trains heading to Delhi from Madhya Pradesh were cancelled.
A High Court asked the state to bring one person reportedly detained at Itarsi before the court.
At least 23 people were allegedly detained in Itarsi, Bhopal and Gwalior while travelling to a Delhi protest.
Those reportedly detained included 21 student and youth activists and two daily-wage workers.
The Cockroach Janta Party planned the Jantar Mantar protest to demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and cancellation of the electoral-roll revision.
Five Delhi-bound trains from Madhya Pradesh were cancelled amid the planned demonstration.
The High Court directed the state to produce a person allegedly taken into custody at Itarsi railway station; the next hearing is set for October 13.
- Who
- At least 23 people, including student and youth activists and two daily-wage workers, were allegedly detained.
- What
- People travelling to a planned Delhi protest were allegedly detained; five Delhi-bound trains were cancelled, and the High Court ordered the state to produce a person reportedly taken into custody.
- When
- The detentions were reported on Thursday; the court issued its direction on Friday and scheduled the next hearing for October 13. The protest was planned for October 10.
- Where
- Itarsi, Bhopal and Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh; the planned protest was at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
- Why
- The travellers were reportedly heading to a Cockroach Janta Party protest seeking the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation and cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Activists and families
State and court
Reported custody in Itarsi
Activists and families
Activists alleged that people were detained without explanation, confined under heavy police deployment, and that some were pressured to leave.
State and court
The articles do not report a response from the state or police explaining the detentions. The High Court directed the state to produce the person concerned and said it could arrange their safe return to family.
- Reported total detained
- At least 23
- Reported composition
- 21 student and youth activists and two daily-wage workers
- Locations of alleged detentions
- Itarsi, Bhopal and Gwalior
- Protest location
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Protest demands
- Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Train cancellations
- Five Delhi-bound trains from Madhya Pradesh: two from Bhopal and three from Jabalpur
- Next court hearing
- October 13