Police Issue Notices and Calls to Block Delhi Protest Over Voter Rolls

Maharashtra police have sent notices and made calls to students, activists, and supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party to stop them from joining an agitation in Delhi.

Police Action And Notices

State police invoked Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to tell individuals not to participate in the Saturday protest. The demonstration was called by the Cockroach Janta Party and Left groups to demand the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over voter roll deletions. A Thane-based hydraulic mechanic named Prathamesh Randive received a notice dated October 8 from Senior Police Inspector Krushna Kokani stating that Delhi Police had not granted permission for the event. Mr. Randive stated he received four calls asking him to visit the police station and felt harassed despite staying home for work. Navi Mumbai resident Chimaji Shinde, aged 68, also received a notice from Kamothe Police Station asking him to pursue demands through lawful means instead of attending the unauthorized rally. Ajni Police Station in Nagpur sent a similar notice to Bharat Kamlakar Banait demanding travel details and warning of legal action for non-cooperation under prohibitory orders issued by the Police Commissioner.

Travel Disruptions And Cancellations

Mayur Sharma, aged 33, and Azhar Shaikh, aged 28, who are connected to the student body ASIF, reported receiving multiple calls while travelling to Delhi. They boarded their train from Borivali and got down at Faridabad instead of Delhi to avoid potential detention. Meanwhile, the Western Railway and Railway Board cancelled five trains departing on October 9 due to expected traffic congestion around New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations. The cancelled services are the Dadar to New Delhi train, two trains from Indore to Hazrat Nizamuddin and New Delhi, a Bandra Terminus to Hazrat Nizamuddin service, and a Sabarmati to New Delhi train. Additionally, two trains from Mumbai Central have had their schedules changed to run five hours late.

Context

Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita grants police officials powers to issue orders aimed at preventing potential law-and-order problems or breaches of peace. Large-scale protests in the national capital frequently prompt heavy security deployments and transport adjustments by local authorities to manage crowds and traffic flow.