Archive · 10 Oct 2026
CPI(M) Leaders Detained During Delhi Protest Over Electoral Rolls
Pinarayi Vijayan and other CPI(M) leaders were detained in Delhi while they were preparing to protest about elections and voter lists.
The protest was aimed at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and a revision of electoral rolls.
Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan criticized the detention and asked state officials to work with Delhi Police for Vijayan’s release.
Vijayan and other party leaders said they were defending people’s right to vote and protest.
One CPI(M) leader alleged that Vijayan was kept in a police vehicle for hours and denied food and medicine.
Delhi Police said the leaders had not been formally arrested and would be released soon.
The reports give different dates for the incident: October 10 and October 26.
Delhi Police detained Pinarayi Vijayan and other CPI(M) leaders near Kerala House as they prepared to protest Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the electoral-roll revision.
Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan condemned Vijayan’s detention and said state officials were coordinating with Delhi Police to seek his release.
CPI(M) leaders said the protest was about electoral integrity, voting rights and democracy, and vowed to continue their campaign.
CPI(M) leaders alleged that police used excessive force and that Vijayan was kept in a vehicle for hours; John Brittas also alleged he was denied food and medication.
Delhi Police said Vijayan and the other leaders had not been formally arrested and would be released shortly; reports give conflicting dates of October 10 and October 26.
- Who
- Pinarayi Vijayan and other CPI(M) leaders were detained by Delhi Police; V D Satheesan and other Keralam leaders condemned the action.
- What
- The leaders were detained as they prepared to protest Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- When
- The reports give conflicting dates: October 10 and October 26.
- Where
- Near Kerala House and at Mandir Marg Police Station in New Delhi.
- Why
- The CPI(M) leaders were protesting Kumar and the electoral-roll revision, which they said raised concerns about electoral integrity and voting rights.
CPI(M) leaders and supporters
Delhi Police
Nature of the detention
CPI(M) leaders and supporters
CPI(M) leaders described the action as arbitrary and repressive, and said it was an attempt to suppress democratic protest.
Delhi Police
Delhi Police said Vijayan and the other leaders had not been formally arrested and would be released shortly.
Treatment of detained leaders
CPI(M) leaders and supporters
John Brittas alleged that Vijayan was kept in a vehicle for nearly three-and-a-half hours and denied food and scheduled medication.
Delhi Police
Delhi Police said the leaders would be released shortly; the reports do not include a response from police to Brittas’s specific allegations.
- Party
- Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPI(M)
- Protest subject
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Reported detention location
- Near Kerala House in New Delhi; Vijayan was later reported held at Mandir Marg Police Station
- Keralam response
- Chief Minister V D Satheesan said state officials were in contact with Delhi Police to coordinate Vijayan’s release
- Police account
- Delhi Police said the leaders had not been formally arrested and would be released shortly
- Treatment allegations
- CPI(M) MP John Brittas alleged that Vijayan was kept in a vehicle for hours and denied food and scheduled medication
- Reported police deployment
- The CPI(M) state secretariat questioned the deployment of more than 50,000 police and paramilitary personnel
- Date discrepancy
- Reports date the incident to October 10 and October 26, without explaining the difference
