Over 5,000 detained in Delhi amid anti-CEC protest

People protest near Cannaught Place in New Delhi on October 10, 2026. | Photo Credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

The Delhi Police detained more than 5,000 protesters across the national capital on Saturday as they attempted to stage a demonstration demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

The police also detained Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder members Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka at the Delhi airport, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee at his residence in Gurugram, and All India Students’ Association (AISA) national president Neha Bora.

A senior police officer said the Delhi Police had denied permission for the CJP to hold its planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 10. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were imposed across the New Delhi district, prohibiting unauthorised public assemblies, demonstrations and protests.

“Around 5,000 protesters were detained across Delhi, including around 1,500 in the New Delhi area. They were shifted to temporary detention facilities set up at various locations in the city and released before sunset,” the officer said. The officer added that around 14,000 police personnel including 4,000 women police personnel were deployed in the city.

The officer further stated that Delhi Police deployment will continue amid expectations of another Jantar Mantar protest call by CJP, AIYF, AISF and SFI. Women protesters and senior citizens were released from the detention centres. Due legal process would be followed in the case of CJP leaders.