Delhi Police Book Protesters After Foiled Bid to Gather at Jantar Mantar

Delhi Police have registered three first information reports in connection with Friday’s protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar near Jantar Mantar. The cases were filed after student organisations, political parties and civil society activists attempted to gather for a demonstration seeking Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

The three FIRs were registered at two police stations — Parliament Street and Connaught Place — based on daily diary entries made by police officials, according to senior officers. The cases have been registered under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant.

The protest had been planned for Jantar Mantar but Delhi Police had denied permission for the gathering ahead of Friday. Restrictions were imposed in the New Delhi district, while heavy security and barricading were put in place around the protest site and roads leading towards it.

Also Read: Vande Bharat Makes History by Crossing Chenab and Anji Bridges at 100 Kmph

Despite the restrictions, protesters gathered at different points in central Delhi after being prevented from reaching Jantar Mantar. Police detained hundreds of people during the day, including political leaders and student activists, as security personnel attempted to stop groups from assembling near the designated protest area.

The demonstration was organised around allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, with protesters demanding accountability from the Election Commission and calling for Kumar’s resignation. The allegations about irregularities and voter deletions were raised by the protesters and opposition groups; they do not by themselves establish wrongdoing by the Election Commission or its officials.

The FIRs add a legal development to the protests, with the cases focusing on alleged violations of the restrictions imposed by authorities. The registrations came a day after the police action prevented the planned gathering at Jantar Mantar, where the demonstration had been scheduled to take place.

Also Read: Shivaji Park Resident Calls CJP Protest Illegal, Files Complaint Against Founders in Mumbai