Delhi Police tightens security ahead of CJP move for October 10 Jantar Mantar protest

The Delhi Police stepped up security across central Delhi on Wednesday as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) prepared to approach authorities for permission to hold a march at Jantar Mantar on October 10, with the protest planned to seek Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

CJP co-convener Saurav Das said he would submit an intimation letter at Parliament Street police station at 10am. He said the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to assemble and protest peacefully.

The proposed demonstration comes amid several days of protests against Kumar and the SIR exercise involving the CJP, All India Students’ Association (AISA), INDIA bloc and Aam Aadmi Party.

Police strengthen deployment across central Delhi

Security was increased outside Parliament Street police station, Parliament and Tolstoy Marg ahead of Das's expected arrival. The protest site at Jantar Mantar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) office and surrounding roads were already heavily barricaded.

Additional police pickets were placed near the ECI office, Sansad Marg, Barakhamba Road and Connaught Place, with vehicles being checked. Security was also reinforced around Connaught Place after a group of women protesters reached the area on Tuesday night.

The police have installed loudspeakers across the Lutyens' area to announce prohibitory orders. More than 150 personnel equipped with body cameras have also been deployed.

The move follows allegations by three women that police officials sexually harassed them during a similar protest on Saturday. The Delhi Police said three complaints had been received and transferred to the Crime Branch.

Body cameras deployed amid police-protester confrontations

A senior Delhi Police officer said the cameras were intended to document events during demonstrations, confrontations and detentions.

“There’s a lot of targeting going on against Delhi Police officers,” the officer said, adding that the body cameras would provide a record of incidents during the protests.

The heightened security follows a series of confrontations between police and demonstrators in central Delhi. The protests have become increasingly dispersed, with groups attempting to move towards restricted areas despite barricades and prohibitory orders.

260 detained during INDIA bloc protest

On Tuesday, Delhi Police detained around 260 people, including 10 MPs, during an INDIA bloc protest. Police said the protesters had neither sought nor received permission and continued their agitation despite prohibitory orders imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in the New Delhi jurisdiction.

Police had also arrested 17 people and registered five FIRs following similar protests on Monday.

The latest measures come after repeated demonstrations in Delhi over the SIR exercise and demands for Kumar's resignation. On Tuesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition MPs were detained after staging a sit-in near the ECI headquarters while demanding a meeting with the poll panel.

CJP plans October 10 protest despite security measures

The CJP has maintained that it will proceed with its October 10 demonstration. The organisation has said the protest will continue even if permission is denied or its leaders are detained.

CJP leaders, including founder Abhijeet Dipke, co-conveners Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, have also claimed they could be arrested before the protest. Those claims have not been independently established.

The October 10 mobilisation is expected to be the CJP's second major demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The group previously staged a prolonged protest at the site in July over the NEET paper leak issue.

Meanwhile, demonstrations against the CEC have spread beyond Delhi. The CJP held a major protest in Mumbai on October 3, while opposition parties, student groups and civil society organisations have continued separate demonstrations in the national capital.