Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Opposition Leaders Detained While Trying to Join Delhi Protest
Several opposition leaders were detained in Delhi on Saturday.
They were trying to join a protest near Jantar Mantar.
Mamata Banerjee and five of her party’s MPs were stopped in central Delhi.
Arvind Kejriwal was detained while trying to leave his home.
Pinarayi Vijayan and John Brittas were also detained.
The protest was about opposition claims of election irregularities and a demand that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign.
The opposition leaders had met President Droupadi Murmu the day before.
They said they planned to take their concerns to the Supreme Court on Monday.
Mamata Banerjee and five Trinamool Congress MPs were detained after police stopped them in central Delhi.
Arvind Kejriwal was detained as he tried to leave his residence to join the protest.
Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPM MP John Brittas were also detained.
The opposition protest was directed at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged election irregularities.
Opposition leaders had met President Droupadi Murmu on Friday and said they planned to approach the Supreme Court on Monday.
- Who
- Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Pinarayi Vijayan, John Brittas, and other opposition and student leaders.
- What
- They were detained while attempting to join an opposition protest against alleged election irregularities and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- When
- Saturday; the article does not provide a date.
- Where
- Central Delhi, including South Avenue; other detainees were taken to Chhatrasal Stadium.
- Why
- They were attempting to join a protest over opposition claims of election irregularities and demands concerning Gyanesh Kumar.
Opposition leaders' claims
Reported response and counterclaim
Alleged election theft
Opposition leaders' claims
Opposition leaders raised claims of 'vote chori' and alleged election theft, and sought Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and repeal of Assembly polls held in the previous two years.
Reported response and counterclaim
Sources said Rahul Gandhi's claims that President Droupadi Murmu accepted the opposition's assertions of 'vote theft' were incorrect.
- Protest location
- Near Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Detained with Mamata Banerjee
- Five Trinamool Congress MPs, including Derek O'Brien and Dola Sen
- Other named detainees
- Arvind Kejriwal, Pinarayi Vijayan, and John Brittas
- Detention location mentioned
- Chhatrasal Stadium
- Protest focus
- Opposition allegations of election irregularities and demand for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation
- Earlier meeting
- An INDIA bloc delegation met President Droupadi Murmu on Friday evening
- Planned next step
- Rahul Gandhi said opposition leaders planned to meet Chief Justice Surya Kant on Monday and hand over a memorandum