03 October,2026 04:58 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Opposition leaders and supporters gather near Jantar Mantar during the October 2 demonstration against the Election Commission. File pic
The Delhi Police have registered at least three FIRs in connection with the mass protest held near Jantar Mantar on October 2 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, officials said.
The demonstration was organised as part of the Opposition's campaign against the Election Commission of India and its functioning.
Two FIRs were registered at the Parliament Street (Sansad Marg) Police Station, while another was filed at the Connaught Place Police Station, according to the police.
The cases have been registered under Sections 223, 221, 132 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The sections relate to alleged violations of prohibitory orders, obstruction of public servants and unlawful assembly. Police are investigating the cases.
The FIRs come after protesters gathered near Jantar Mantar on Friday, raising allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and demanding Kumar's removal.
The protest was held amid heightened security arrangements in central Delhi after police denied permission for the proposed demonstration. Prohibitory restrictions were also imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
Several Opposition leaders and workers took part in the protest, with Aam Aadmi Party MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj among those detained by police.
The controversy surrounding the protest came after a report in The Indian Express claimed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a 10-month period concerning decisions related to electoral rolls, voter registration and the Commission's technology systems.
The report added to the Opposition's concerns over the functioning of the poll panel.
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said Congress and INDIA bloc leaders were prepared to face arrest, while alleging that the votes of ordinary citizens were being "snatched" through the Election Commission.
"This is for saving the democracy of the country, saving the vote for a common man. Common men's votes are snatched by Modi and Shah through the Election Commission of India. So, this is a do-or-die fight for the Congress party and the INDIA alliance and all other opposition parties. We are not going to allow this thing," Venugopal said.
The Delhi Police are investigating the three cases registered in connection with the October 2 protest.
(With inputs from ANI)
