Politics · India · 1 hr ago
Lawyers build rapid response network for detained Delhi protesters
Lawyers in Delhi have formed a volunteer network to help people detained during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The group has more than 70 lawyers across several Indian states and the Delhi region, who connect detainees with lawyers nearby.
Police detained thousands of people on Saturday, and around 100 more were picked up near Connaught Place on Sunday.
The Supreme Court ordered that peaceful, unarmed protesters should not be detained except under the law, but detentions continued.
The lawyers share guidance on what to do during a detention, including recording a vehicle’s number plate and sharing a live location.
The group says detainees have reported being hurt, held without food for long periods and detained before reaching the protest site.
These claims come from accounts shared with the lawyers and are not independently confirmed here.
A volunteer network of more than 70 lawyers is helping locate and support protesters detained in Delhi.
The network sends lawyers near detention sites and shares guidance for detainees and witnesses.
The effort comes amid mass detentions during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Supreme Court ordered on Sunday that peaceful, unarmed protesters not be detained except according to law, but detentions continued.
- Who
- A volunteer network of lawyers, including Delhi-based independent litigator Shobhit Chaudhary, is supporting detained protesters.
- What
- The lawyers locate detainees, connect them with nearby legal help and share guidance on recording detentions.
- When
- The network has been working around the clock over the last few days. The report was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Delhi, including Najafgarh, Connaught Place and Anand Vihar.
- Why
- To help protesters amid mass detentions during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
We basically worked on creating a rapid response system for the fraternity
It is working, but in all honesty there should not be a need for this to be working.
That kind of preventive detention is really out of order. It is definitely not lawful.
Chaudhary began efforts to help detainees during protests calling for the resignation of then education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Delhi Police detained thousands as people tried to enter central Delhi.
The Supreme Court ordered that peaceful, unarmed protesters not be detained except through the procedure established by law.
Around 100 people, including student leader Neha Bora and lawmaker John Brittas, were picked up near Connaught Place.
A distress call reported 30 to 40 people held in Najafgarh, prompting lawyers to contact nearby legal volunteers.
- Network size
- More than 70 to 80 lawyers, according to Chaudhary
- Network locations
- Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam and Delhi National Capital Region
- Najafgarh call
- 30 to 40 people reportedly held, including five or six minors
- Connaught Place detentions
- Around 100 people picked up on Sunday evening
- Anand Vihar detainees
- A group of 20 to 22 young men was reportedly detained nearby
Sources
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