Archive · 10 Oct 2026
CJI Surya Kant Intervenes After Lawyers Detained During Delhi Protest
Supreme Court lawyers were detained by police in Delhi during events connected to a planned protest.
The lawyers were trying to march toward Jantar Mantar, where the Cockroach Janata Party planned a demonstration.
The party wanted to raise concerns about voter lists and Form 6, and called for the chief election commissioner to resign.
The Supreme Court Bar Association and others told Chief Justice Surya Kant what had happened.
He said he spoke to authorities and that the lawyers were released.
The Bar Association said the lawyers had been protesting peacefully and sought confirmation that they were safe and access to legal help.
Police also detained party leaders and student protesters.
A student leader said more than 400 SFI members were detained.
CJI Surya Kant said his verbal intervention helped secure the release of Supreme Court lawyers detained by Delhi Police.
The SCBA, SCAORA and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta alerted the CJI; the SCBA also sought confirmation of detainees’ safety and legal assistance.
Lawyers were detained near Bhagwan Das Road while attempting to march from the Supreme Court area toward Jantar Mantar; the SCBA alleged they had been peacefully protesting and police used excessive force.
The proposed Cockroach Janata Party protest concerned alleged voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision, alleged Form 6 irregularities and a demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Police also detained CJP leaders and student protesters; SFI president Adarsh M Saji said more than 400 SFI members were detained.
- Who
- Supreme Court lawyers were detained; CJI Surya Kant intervened after being alerted by the SCBA, SCAORA and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
- What
- Lawyers detained during events surrounding a planned CJP protest were released following the CJI’s intervention, according to the CJI.
- When
- Saturday, October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Delhi, including the Supreme Court area and near Bhagwan Das Road; the proposed demonstration was at Jantar Mantar.
- Why
- The detentions occurred amid security measures for a planned CJP demonstration over alleged voter-list manipulation and Form 6 irregularities.
Advocates and protest organizers
Delhi Police and authorities
Lawyers’ detention
Advocates and protest organizers
The SCBA said the advocates were peacefully protesting and alleged excessive police force; it sought their safety, legal assistance and release where there was no lawful ground for detention. Advocate Pradeep Rai described the detentions as disturbing and called for the lawyers’ release.
Delhi Police and authorities
Delhi Police detained lawyers amid security measures for the planned demonstration. The reports say police had denied permission for the protest on security and procedural grounds, but provide no specific police explanation for detaining the lawyers.
Proposed demonstration
Advocates and protest organizers
The CJP planned to protest alleged voter-list manipulation and Form 6 irregularities and demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Delhi Police and authorities
Delhi Police denied permission for the proposed protest, citing security considerations and procedural requirements.
- CJI
- Surya Kant said the lawyers were released following his verbal intervention and that he was out of town.
- Groups alerting the CJI
- The Supreme Court Bar Association, Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
- SCBA request
- The association sought confirmation of detainees’ whereabouts and safety, legal assistance, and release where there was no lawful ground for detention.
- Lawyers’ detention location
- Near Bhagwan Das Road, while lawyers attempted to march from the Supreme Court area toward Jantar Mantar.
- Protest issue
- Alleged voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision and alleged irregularities related to Form 6.
- Police position
- Delhi Police had denied permission for the proposed protest, citing security considerations and procedural requirements.
- Student detentions
- SFI National President Adarsh M Saji said more than 400 SFI members were detained.
