Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Imran Khan Detained During CJP Protest in Mumbai
Imran Khan and Lekha Washington were detained by police during a protest gathering in Mumbai.
The gathering supported a protest called by the Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP.
The party wants Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
It says there were problems with changes to the voter lists.
Imran said he came as an ordinary citizen and had no demands of his own.
Police said the Mumbai protest did not have permission to take place at that location.
CJP workers said they had asked police for permission but did not get a reply.
Reports differ about how many people were detained in Delhi during related demonstrations.
Some film-industry figures criticised the police actions.
Actor Imran Khan and actor Lekha Washington were detained at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan on October 10, during a demonstration supporting the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP).
Khan said he attended as a citizen, without specific demands or affiliation with an organisation, and wanted to understand why freedom of movement and people’s voices were being restricted.
The CJP called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and changes involving voter-registration Form 6.
Mumbai Police said permission had not been granted for a protest at August Kranti Maidan, citing court directions limiting protests to Azad Maidan; CJP workers said they had emailed police for permission but received no response.
Reports say more than 400 people were detained in Mumbai; estimates of detentions in Delhi differ, ranging from around 1,000 to nearly 4,000, amid planned protests at Jantar Mantar.
- Who
- Actors Imran Khan and Lekha Washington, other protesters, Mumbai Police, and the Cockroach Janata Party.
- What
- Khan and Washington were detained during a Mumbai gathering supporting the CJP’s protest and call for the chief election commissioner to resign.
- When
- October 10, 2026; a related demonstration in Delhi was planned for October 11.
- Where
- August Kranti Maidan, Mumbai; the related planned demonstration was at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.
- Why
- The CJP alleged irregularities in electoral-roll revision and called for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation; police said the Mumbai gathering lacked permission for that location.
Protesters and supporters
Police and authorities
Permission for the Mumbai gathering
Protesters and supporters
CJP workers said they emailed Mumbai Police seeking permission but received no response.
Police and authorities
Mumbai Police said permission had not been granted and cited court directions limiting protests to Azad Maidan.
Protest and police action
Protesters and supporters
Imran Khan said he wanted to understand why freedom of movement and people’s voices were being restricted; several film-industry figures criticised the detentions and broader crackdown.
Police and authorities
Police said the August Kranti Maidan protest was unauthorised and moved to prevent gatherings there.
Electoral-roll allegations
Protesters and supporters
The CJP alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision and changes involving Form 6, and demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Police and authorities
The reports do not include a response from Gyanesh Kumar or election authorities to those allegations.
- Mumbai location
- August Kranti Maidan was the proposed venue; reports also refer to detentions at other locations across Mumbai.
- Mumbai detentions
- Reports say more than 400 protesters were detained in Mumbai.
- Khan’s explanation
- He said he was there as a citizen, with no specific demands and no organisational affiliation.
- CJP demand
- The party called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
- Stated protest issue
- Alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and changes relating to Form 6, used for voter registration.
- Police position
- Mumbai Police said permission had not been granted for a protest at August Kranti Maidan and cited court directions allowing protests only at Azad Maidan.
- CJP workers’ account
- CJP workers said they had emailed Mumbai Police seeking permission but received no response.
- Delhi detention reports
- Reports cited around 1,000 people detained in Delhi in one account and nearly 4,000 in another.
Sources
Actor Imran Khan detained during CJP protest in Mumbai
Mumbai CJP Protest: Aamir Khan's Nephew & Actor Imran Khan Detained Along With Several Protesters At August Kranti Maidan
Actor Imran Khan, Girlfriend Lekha Washington Detained During CJP Protest In Mumbai
Imran Khan detained in Mumbai amid CJP protest; Prakash Raj, Anurag Kashyap slam crackdown
Bollywood actor Imran Khan detained in Mumbai during CJP protests - Telegraph India
