Thousands detained across Delhi as police crackdown blocks anti-CEC protests

UPDATE - follow-up to Delhi protest against CEC LIVE updates: Delhi Police begin detaining protesters from Jantar Mantar; Dipke on his way to capital: Around 5,000 protesters have been detained across Delhi by 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2026, following a massive security lockdown that brought parts of the capital to a standstill. The demonstrations were called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) alongside Left and student organisations to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the rollback of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Detentions and Arrests

Delhi Police denied permission for the demonstrations and acted swiftly against leaders. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and other leaders including Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained as soon as they landed in Delhi. AISA leader Neha Bora was detained near Dilli Haat after announcing that the protest would continue, urging supporters via a video message from detention to sit down where they are and hold the line. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal was detained outside his house in Lodhi Estate while heading to Jantar Mantar, while TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and other Trinamool Congress leaders were held at a South Avenue bus stop. YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was also detained in Gurugram by Delhi and Gurugram police.

Wider Impact

Security forces enforced a heavy lockdown, closing metro stations and cutting off internet access in parts of the city while ordering the takedown of over 50 social media posts for alleged misinformation. Bengaluru police detained at least 50 AISA students protesting peacefully at Freedom Park, and Mumbai police detained Tushar Gandhi ahead of a planned protest at August Kranti Maidan. Journalists from Navbharat Times, Scroll.in, and Newslaundry were briefly detained during the crackdown before being released. Meanwhile, daily wage labourers and workers in Khan Market and surrounding areas were turned away by security at Nizamuddin because they lacked identity cards.

Context

This security action follows widespread political disagreement over electoral roll revisions and election commission oversight in India. Large-scale police restrictions on public demonstrations are typically deployed by authorities during situations perceived to pose a major law and order challenge.