Three leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were detained upon landing at Delhi airport ahead of their planned protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Security has been tightened across the national capital, with Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel deployed at key locations. Barricades and spike strips have also been installed in several areas ahead of the demonstration.
The protest centres on allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The CJP has been demanding Kumar’s resignation, while the Election Commission has rejected the allegations, maintaining that key decisions concerning the revision exercise were taken unanimously. Delhi Police said the organisers had not obtained the required permission for the demonstration and rejected their request, citing public interest.
Why is the CJP protesting against Gyanesh Kumar?
The CJP has continued to raise concerns over the SIR exercise through public statements and demonstrations. The group also held a protest in Mumbai on October 2, reiterating its demand for Kumar’s resignation. The controversy surrounding the Election Commission’s handling of the revision exercise intensified following an investigative report by The Indian Express. The report said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months to decisions and procedures linked to the SIR.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has alleged that around 13 crore voters have been removed from electoral rolls since 2024. He has also argued that large-scale changes to voter lists could affect electoral outcomes, citing the narrow vote-share gap between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition INDIA bloc in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. These remain allegations raised by the CJP. The Election Commission has maintained that major decisions, including those related to the SIR, were taken unanimously by the full commission.
Ahead of the planned demonstration, police personnel were deployed around Jantar Mantar and on roads leading to the protest site. Barricades and other security measures were put in place to regulate movement and prevent unauthorised gatherings. Delhi Police said more than 15,000 personnel had been deployed to manage the anticipated turnout on Saturday. The number of central force personnel in the city was expected to be around 26,000.
Loudspeakers at three major entry and exit points issued warnings in Hindi and English against gatherings, processions, road blockades and other activities prohibited under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Access to Jantar Mantar was also restricted ahead of the protest. According to the information provided, media personnel were denied entry to the site.
Delhi Metro restrictions revised
The planned protest prompted restrictions on public transport across parts of the capital. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) initially announced that entry and exit would be suspended at 57 stations from 9 pm on Friday until Saturday. It subsequently revised the list to 45 stations.
The restrictions were intended to remain in place through Saturday, with access to the affected stations subject to the prevailing security situation. The Namo Bharat stations at Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi were also scheduled to remain closed from 9 pm on October 9 until 10 pm on October 10.
Railways cancel trains amid traffic concerns
The Railways cancelled mail and express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm on Saturday, October 10. The cancellations were made at the trains’ originating stations amid concerns that road congestion around the stations could disrupt passenger movement during the planned demonstration. Passengers travelling through the two railway stations were likely to face changes to their travel plans as a result of the restrictions.
Liquor shops closed on October 9 and 10
Retail liquor outlets across Delhi were ordered to remain closed on October 9 and 10 under an order issued by the excise department. The restrictions covered specified outlets selling Indian, foreign and country liquor, including some shops located in malls. Licensed restaurants, bars and clubs were, however, expected to continue serving liquor as usual, according to an excise department official.
Restrictions affect movement across the capital
With police deployment, Metro restrictions, train cancellations and the closure of retail liquor outlets, the planned CJP protest has been accompanied by a series of measures affecting movement and access across Delhi. The demonstration is part of the party’s continuing campaign against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions. The Election Commission has rejected the allegations, while the CJP continues to demand the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation.
