02 October,2026 04:22 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Security personnel detain activist Yogendra Yadav during a protest. Pic/PTI
Over 700 protesters, including former Delhi chief minister Atishi, AAP leaders and members of student and youth organisations, were detained in Delhi on Friday during demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, reported the PTI.
The protesters gathered at Jantar Mantar and several nearby locations, with police saying permission had not been granted for the proposed demonstration. Additional personnel and barricades were deployed in central Delhi and prohibitory orders were imposed around the protest site, the news agency reported.
AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj and Sanjeev Jha, along with party workers, were detained at Jantar Mantar. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was stopped at North Avenue while travelling to the protest and was also detained.
Police said around 700 SFI members attempting to reach Jantar Mantar at about 11 am were stopped at the Ashoka Road roundabout, with several detained. Other protesters from AISA, SFI, NSUI and youth organisations were detained from Jantar Mantar and nearby areas, according to the PTI.
Several NSUI activists, including national president Vinod Jakhar, were also detained while taking part in a march from the organisation's office towards Jantar Mantar, as per the PTI.
The protesters are demanding Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged mass deletion of voters.
Indian Youth Congress activists marched from the IYC office on Raisina Road towards Jantar Mantar, carrying posters and banners and wearing masks bearing the faces of Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib led the demonstration and said the Election Commission was responsible for protecting the sanctity of every vote. He said questions about decisions concerning electoral rolls required answers and accountability, the news agency reported.
Delhi Police said that permission had not been granted for the proposed gathering and repeatedly asked protesters not to assemble at Jantar Mantar.
Several protesters attempted to cross barricades on Firoz Shah Road as police tried to stop them from reaching the protest site. AISA activists alleged that police used force against protesters, including women.
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said the party had sought permission about a week earlier and questioned the need for permission to hold a demonstration at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site.
After being stopped from reaching Jantar Mantar, Sanjay Singh said he was holding a protest in the Parliament premises near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi against what he described as "vote theft".
SFI general secretary Aishe Ghosh said several SFI and DYFI activists had been detained. She said the detentions would not stop their campaign.
NSUI president Vinod Jakhar also said several activists had been taken into custody and alleged police action against protesters during the march.
As part of security arrangements, the Delhi Metro temporarily closed entry and exit at 12 stations in central Delhi, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat and Jantar Mantar.
Internet services were also suspended at the protest site and surrounding areas, according to the information provided.
The demonstrations are part of wider mobilisation by political parties, student organisations and civil society groups over the SIR exercise and the functioning of the Election Commission.
(with PTI inputs)
