3,300 Detained in Delhi Protests Demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation

Police have detained around 3,300 protesters across India’s capital, New Delhi, amid demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The figure was reported as of 1 pm on Saturday, October 10. More than 500 people were removed from Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas.

According to Indian newspaper The Hindu, police detained protesters who attempted to reach Jantar Mantar and took them away in buses to various locations. Security was tightened across several parts of Delhi, with barricades erected in multiple areas. A number of Supreme Court lawyers were also detained while attempting to join the protest.

Allegations of Detention and Transfer to Unknown Locations
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) alleged that people heading to Jantar Mantar to participate in a peaceful demonstration were being detained and taken to undisclosed locations.

The party shared a video on social media that reportedly showed a bus travelling along a heavily barricaded road under the watch of security personnel.

The CJP and several left-wing organisations called the protest to demand Kumar’s resignation and the cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process for electoral rolls.

After permission for the demonstration was denied, Delhi Police strengthened security around Jantar Mantar and nearby areas. Restrictions on internet access were imposed in parts of the capital, several metro station gates were closed, and a number of trains heading to Delhi were cancelled.

Earlier, CJP founder Abhijit Deepak, co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka and spokesperson Saurav Das were detained after arriving in Delhi. YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was also reportedly detained by police in Gurugram.

Ajinkya Shinde to Lead the Protest
Despite the detention of its senior leaders, the CJP has announced that the protest will continue. Ajinkya Shinde, the party’s organisation-in-charge, has been assigned to lead the demonstration at Jantar Mantar.

In a post on X on Saturday, the party said Shinde would lead the protest for as long as Deepak, Das and Ranka remained in detention.

The CJP also said Shinde had recorded a video message the previous night in anticipation of a possible detention. The party has called on young people and ordinary citizens to continue the movement despite the arrests.