Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Delhi Tightens Security as CJP Defies Jantar Mantar Protest Ban
The Cockroach Janta Party planned a protest at Jantar Mantar about changes to voter lists and called for the chief election commissioner to resign.
Delhi Police said the protest could not happen because of safety, traffic and public-order concerns.
The police also said the organizers gave notice too late.
The organizers disagreed and said they were informing police rather than asking for permission.
They said they would protest anyway and were prepared to be arrested.
Delhi prepared a large police and central-force deployment.
Officials also restricted some train and Metro services and set up barricades and surveillance.
Police said officers should use restraint and minimum force.
Delhi Police denied permission for CJP’s planned Jantar Mantar protest against electoral-roll revision and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Police said the denial reflected public-safety, law-and-order and traffic concerns, as well as late notice and alleged noncompliance during an earlier protest.
CJP organizers said they were notifying police, not seeking permission, and maintained that the protest would go ahead despite the ban.
More than 25,000 central force personnel were made available to Delhi Police for deployment, alongside nearly 15,000 Delhi Police personnel.
Authorities invoked BNSS Section 163 and ordered transport restrictions, barricades and heightened surveillance to prevent protesters from reaching the site.
- Who
- The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Delhi Police and central forces; CJP named Gyanesh Kumar in its resignation demand.
- What
- CJP planned a protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanded the chief election commissioner's resignation; police denied permission and prepared security measures.
- When
- The proposed protest was scheduled for October 10; the article says police preparations covered October 8–12.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar and other parts of Delhi, India.
- Why
- Police cited public safety, law-and-order and traffic concerns, late notice, and alleged noncompliance during an earlier protest. CJP said it opposed the electoral-roll revision and argued that Jantar Mantar is a designated protest site.
CJP organizers
Delhi Police and authorities
Permission to protest
CJP organizers
CJP organizers said they were formally notifying police rather than seeking permission, and argued Jantar Mantar is a designated protest site where peaceful gatherings should be facilitated.
Delhi Police and authorities
Police denied permission, citing safety, public order and traffic concerns, late notice, and alleged noncompliance during an earlier protest.
Proceeding despite the ban
CJP organizers
CJP convener Abhijeet Dipke said the protest would go ahead and that organizers were prepared to face arrest.
Delhi Police and authorities
Authorities imposed restrictions and extensive security measures, including invoking BNSS Section 163 and limiting transport access to prevent protesters reaching Jantar Mantar.
Electoral-roll revision
CJP organizers
CJP opposed the SIR and alleged that it had led to large-scale deletion of votes.
Delhi Police and authorities
The article reports the allegation but does not provide a response from the Election Commission or Gyanesh Kumar.
- Proposed protest
- October 10 at Jantar Mantar
- Police permission
- Denied by New Delhi range police
- Delhi Police personnel
- Nearly 15,000
- Central forces
- Around 23,000 CAPF personnel made available for deployment from October 8 to 12; the article says the total central-force presence in Delhi would exceed 25,000
- Legal measure
- Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita was invoked
- Metro restrictions
- Police asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to close entry and exit gates at 57 stations from Friday night until the situation normalised
- Rail restrictions
- Several services to or from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations were cancelled for October 10, between 4 a.m. and 2 p.m.