3 hrs ago
Delhi Tightens Security Ahead of CJP March Over Election Chief
A group called the Cockroach Janta Party planned a march in Delhi to ask the election chief to resign.
Police said the march did not have permission, partly because the request came too close to the event.
Officials prepared a large security operation, with police and other forces, checkpoints and barricades.
Many Metro station gates were closed, many trains were cancelled, and mobile internet was stopped in part of the city for a day.
The reports give different totals for the number of cancelled trains and security personnel.
The Supreme Court questioned whether the restrictions were too severe and said trains and the Metro should not stop completely.
The party said it still wanted to hold the march.
Opposition leaders also met the President to raise allegations of election wrongdoing.
Delhi Police denied permission for the October 10 march at Jantar Mantar, citing short notice and concerns including alleged rule violations at an earlier protest.
The march, called by the Cockroach Janta Party and others, seeks Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll irregularities.
Authorities closed 45 Metro stations, ordered mobile internet suspended in a central Delhi area, and cancelled trains serving New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin; reports differ on the rail total, giving at least 245 or more than 250.
Police and central forces were deployed across Delhi, with checks, barricades and detention facilities planned; reports give differing personnel totals, from about 25,000 to at least 30,000.
The Supreme Court questioned the scale of the restrictions and said rail and Metro services should not be halted completely, while CJP leaders said they intended to proceed.
- Who
- The Cockroach Janta Party and other groups called the march; Delhi Police and central forces prepared the security response.
- What
- A march demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation was denied permission and met with extensive security and transport restrictions.
- Where
- Delhi, with the march planned at Jantar Mantar and restrictions affecting other parts of the capital.
- When
- The march was planned for Saturday, October 10, 2026; several restrictions began on Friday, October 9.
- Why
- Organisers cited alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls; police cited insufficient notice, alleged earlier rule violations and public-order concerns.
Protest organisers and opposition
Police and authorities
Whether the march should proceed
Protest organisers and opposition
CJP leaders said the march would go ahead and described the restrictions as an attack on democratic rights.
Police and authorities
Delhi Police denied permission, saying the application was submitted only three days in advance despite a 10-day notice requirement, and citing alleged rule violations at an earlier demonstration.
Scale of restrictions
Protest organisers and opposition
CJP objected to transport closures, internet suspension and measures to stop supporters from travelling to Delhi.
Police and authorities
Authorities said the measures were intended to prevent unauthorised mobilisation and protect public order; police also cited potential disruption and safety concerns.
Transport shutdowns
Protest organisers and opposition
The restrictions were criticised by organisers, while opposition leaders raised broader concerns about election-related conduct.
Police and authorities
Authorities announced rail cancellations and Metro gate closures, citing congestion and security concerns; the Supreme Court questioned the scope of the curbs and said services should not be halted completely.
Key facts
- Planned protest site
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Protest date
- October 10, 2026
- Metro
- Gates at 45 stations were reported closed from 9 p.m. Friday until 6 p.m. Saturday; an earlier police request covered 57 stations.
- Rail cancellations
- At least 245 trains in one report; another reported more than 250 connected to New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations.
- Internet restriction
- Mobile internet was suspended from 10 p.m. Friday to 10 p.m. Saturday within a four-kilometre radius; reports describe the area around Janpath–Kartavya Path or Jantar Mantar.
- Security deployment
- One report cited about 25,000 personnel; another cited at least 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel, including 221 central-force companies.
- Supreme Court
- The Court questioned the extraordinary restrictions and said rail and Metro services should not be brought to a complete halt.
- Other measures
- Liquor shops were ordered closed on October 9 and 10; shops, offices and restaurants around Connaught Place were advised to close on Saturday.
Quotes
Cockroach Janta Party
Political party that called the protest demanding the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation.
“Tomorrow is our march. I don’t know what will happen to me, whether I will be arrested from the airport or will be later arrested. I will not be cowed down because we want to save the democracy in the country. I am not scared even if I am detained. The government can slap us with NSA or UAPA.”
news18.com
“Modi Govt is so scared of a peaceful protest, they’re taking measures that were not taken even during the Emergency. Instead of acting against Gyanesh Kumar, they’d rather choke the National Capital.”
indianexpress.com
Supreme Court Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant
A Supreme Court Bench that expressed concern about the restrictions imposed in Delhi.
“you cannot use a hammer to kill a fly”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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