Thousands of protesters were detained across Delhi on Saturday as police mounted a major security crackdwon ahead of a demonstration called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter theft during the contentious SIR of electoral rolls.
CJP has called for fresh protests at Jantar Mantar on Sunday, vowing to continue its agitation until all its demands are met.
The Supreme Court will hear on Sunday a contempt plea over alleged violations of its order on metro and train services during the CJP protest.
Over 7,000 protesters attempting to reach Jantar Mantar for the proposed CJP demonstration were detained.
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and former Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar were among the political leaders detained.
CJP founder Abhijit Dipke and leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained inside their aircraft after it landed in Delhi from Mumbai.
AISA president Neha Bora, activists Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan were detained near INA Market while attempting to march to Jantar Mantar.
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was detained at his residence in Gurugram ahead of the proposed CJP protest. Rathee, who lives abroad, had travelled to India to join the demonstration against the CEC.
In a pre-recorded video released after his detention, Dipke said CJP's in-charge Ajinkya Shinde would lead the protest at Jantar Mantar, adding that the agitation will continue nationwide, with or without its leaders.
The national capital remains under heavy security, with transit blockades, metro station closures and targeted internet curbs, as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) presses ahead with its “Jantar Mantar 2.0” demonstration demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over electoral roll controversies.
Authorities have launched a preventive crackdown, detaining thousands across Delhi, neighbouring transit corridors and state borders. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and coordinators Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained aboard their incoming flight at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Dipke livestreamed parts of the confrontation before being taken to an undisclosed location.
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was detained from his Gurugram residence, while CJP Policy Lead Mehr Pasricha, Legal Affairs Head Ratna Singh and members of their legal team were also detained. Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI(M) leaders M.A. Baby and Brinda Karat were detained near Jantar Mantar and taken to Chhatrasal Stadium. In Mumbai, activist Tushar Gandhi was detained ahead of a solidarity gathering at August Kranti Maidan. AAP leader Manish Sisodia and party workers were detained during protests in Chandigarh.
With key leaders in custody at undisclosed locations, CJP said Organisation In-Charge Ajinkya Shinde would lead the demonstrations, backed by a pre-recorded emergency video message from Dipke released before his detention.
Opposition leaders have condemned the crackdown, describing the security measures, transit restrictions and metro station closures as an “absolute dictatorship”. Legal challenges and protest rallies are continuing across several states amid persistent tensions.
Delhi Police on Friday detained around 150 protesters attempting to reach Jantar Mantar for the proposed Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demonstration demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter-list manipulation.
Police sources said drones were being used to monitor the movement of people attempting to reach the protest site. In a separate preventive measure, more than 600 people with criminal records were detained across all 15 districts of the national capital to prevent any law-and-order situation during the proposed demonstration, the sources said.
Police are also keeping a close watch on individuals suspected of mobilising crowds or encouraging participation in the protest, with surveillance intensified outside their residences. Personnel have been deployed at strategic locations, particularly along routes leading to Jantar Mantar and other sensitive areas.
Security was tightened across central Delhi on Saturday ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Delhi Police, BSF and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were deployed in large numbers around Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street Police Station and NDMC Palika Kendra. Multi-layered barricades blocked key roads, including Sansad Marg towards Connaught Place and Tolstoy Road, while Parliament Street and Ashoka Road witnessed heavy congestion.
Several Delhi Police personnel wore body cameras amid allegations of police excesses during the previous protest. The all-women Pink Force and other female security personnel were stationed at several locations, while police personnel carried lathis and protective gear.
Loudspeakers repeatedly announced prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Passersby were asked to show identity cards, and people attempting to reach the restricted area were asked to return. Private security guards in nearby buildings were also briefed on crowd management.
founder Abhijeet Dipke accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of using security deployments and transport restrictions to prevent people from joining the protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Questioning the need to halt railway and metro services and deploy security forces from Jammu and Kashmir and Naxal-affected areas, Dipke said he was prepared to be detained or arrested, even under the UAPA or NSA, but would continue fighting for free and fair elections and democracy.
Dipke is currently travelling to Delhi, he is expected to reach by 10 am.
#WATCH | Mumbai: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) Founder Abhijeet Dipke says, "I wonder why the Prime Minister of this country is so afraid of the nation's youth and its people. What was the need to shut down all railway services? What was the need to halt all metro operations? They… pic.twitter.com/JbSvnZ2wvo
— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2026
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was detained by Delhi Police from his residence in Sector 56, Gurugram, PTI reported. Further details about the circumstances surrounding his detention were not immediately available.
Police maintain high security around Mohan Estate area ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest today. Spike strips also installed here.
#WATCH | Delhi: Police maintain high security around Mohan Estate area ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest today. Spike strips also installed here. https://t.co/PwCjc2g245
— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2026
#WATCH | Delhi: Security forces detain protesters, including several content creators, in Dhaula Kuan ahead of the CJP protest. pic.twitter.com/lj8GMlNXtO
— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2026
Reacting to YouTuber Dhruv Rathee’s reported detention, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) said the government was “terrified” of young people who questioned its actions and refused to remain silent.
Dhruv Rathee has been detained.
— Cockroach Janta Party - CJP (@Cockroachisback) October 10, 2026
The Dictator is TERRIFIED of young people who question its wrongdoings and refuse to stay silent!
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday accused the BJP-led central government of imposing a "black emergency" in the country, following the detention by the police of several protesters coming to Jantar Mantar to join the CJP protest.
AAP MLA Gopal Rai said the party shut down metro stations and cancelled trains only to protect one person.
"Instead of removing CEC Gyanesh Kumar, the Centre has declared a black emergency in the country. Today, to protect Kumar, you have turned Delhi into a cantonment. But remember this, it does not matter how much force you push in, this movement will not be suppressed," Rai told reporters.
AAP Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj said the protestors only want to raise their issues in a "non-violent" way, but heavy deployment of forces creates an environment of fear.
"You can not make Gen-Z keep quiet by force; these are our youth, talk to them, engage with them. BJP Govt wants to show that we are a scared country. We are not; we believe in non-violence and the Constitution of India," Bharadwaj said in a video message.
The Cockroach Janata Party is scheduled to protest at Jantar Mantar here on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Kumar for alleged "vote theft."
Delhi Metro closed 45 stations from 9 pm on Friday till 6 pm on Saturday for security reasons, an advisory said.
On Friday, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal said he and his family will come to the CJP protest and urged the youths to join him.
(PTI)
Security forces have been heavily deployed at the Apsara Border ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest, with drones, CCTV cameras and body cameras being used to monitor the situation.
Shahdara DCP Rajendra Prasad Meena said commercial vehicle movement was being regulated through timed entry and thorough checks. Additional police personnel have been deployed, patrolling has been intensified in sensitive areas, and authorities are coordinating with Uttar Pradesh Police, which has set up checkpoints on its side of the border. Meena urged people not to attempt to travel to the protest site, warning that legal action could follow.
#WATCH | Delhi: Heavy deployment of security forces at the Apsara Border ahead of the protest called by the CJP. Drones are also being utilized by security personnel to monitor the situation and maintain strict vigilance. DCP Shahdara Rajendra Prasad Meena says, "Regarding the border, we have enforced strict measures. We are regulating the entry of commercial vehicles based on specific timings and allowing them to pass only after thorough checks, ensuring that no unauthorized persons reach the other side. Our traffic staff is also deployed here. We have also deployed additional forces provided to us, and the maximum possible staff from our local police station is on duty. Patrolling is underway in all sensitive areas, and we are maintaining constant communication. We are urging people not to attempt to go there, warning them that legal action could be taken against them if they do... We have spoken with the UP authorities, and they have assured us of their full cooperation. They have set up pickets on their side as well and will allow vehicles to pass only after checking them... We are monitoring the situation with drones. We also have CCTV cameras permanently installed here, and we are conducting videography and photography as well... we have provided body cameras to the majority of our staff."
— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2026
CPI(M) MP John Brittas criticised the heavy security deployment in Delhi ahead of the CJP protest, alleging that movement across the city had been restricted. He said he had been stopped at least six places and asked to show his identity cards to security personnel. Calling the situation undemocratic, Brittas warned the government that what he described as oppressive measures could trigger a wider agitation that would throw it “in the dustbin of history”.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Modi government would go, after which the “repair of democracy” would begin. In a post in Hindi on X, he wrote: “Gyanesh Kumar will go. This government will go. Then the repair of democracy will begin.” He also shared a video of his address to INDIA bloc MPs at the Central Hall of Parliament.
On Friday, Gandhi had said the problem went beyond Kumar and required the termination of the current government. He told INDIA bloc MPs at Samvidhan Sadan that opposition protests had shaken the government’s foundations and warned that it would fall if the opposition continued its push over the next three to four days. “This is something that is worth fighting for and dying for,” he said.
Delhi Police has detained over 600 people with criminal records across all 15 districts of the national capital as a preventive measure ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, police sources said. Around 200 protesters attempting to reach the protest site were also detained in the New Delhi area on Friday. Police are monitoring movement using drones and have intensified surveillance outside the residences of people suspected of mobilising crowds.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday alleged that police had detained its legal team head, Ratna Singh, and three other lawyers without stating the grounds for their detention. In a video released by the outfit, Singh said police had visited her house in the morning but had no official notice when asked for one, telling her they had “orders from above”.
She alleged that she was being illegally detained on the road, as several police personnel surrounded the car she was in.
CJP’s legal affairs head Ratna Singh detained! pic.twitter.com/eCFWPZxYXg
— Cockroach Janta Party - CJP (@Cockroachisback) October 10, 2026
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Saturday issued a 12-point advisory for participants in its “Jantar Mantar 2.0” protest, urging them to maintain peace, avoid violence and vandalism, refrain from spreading unverified claims and follow lawful police instructions. The guidelines warn against attempts to breach barricades, carrying objects that could be used to injure people, hate speech and provocation. Protesters have been asked to keep emergency routes clear, document incidents only when safe, move away from confrontations and help vulnerable people reach safety. If detained, they should ask for the grounds and seek legal assistance, the CJP said.
BJP national president Nitin Nabin accused the opposition of using “falsehoods” in the name of the Constitution to challenge democracy, saying repeated electoral defeats had left it desperate. He warned that the BJP and “patriotic citizens” would give a “fitting and stern response” to such attempts.
Nabin also said the Union government would deal strictly with attempts to incite tension, while BJP workers would counter them on the ground. He said the party remained committed to the country’s development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to realising the vision of a “Viksit Bharat”, while standing firm against forces, domestic or foreign, that sought to disrupt peace.
The Delhi Police have escalated their massive preemptive crackdown by intercepting and detaining Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke alongside key leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. According to updates by the party on X, the CJP leaders were taken into custody by security forces immediately as their flight landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI Airport) in New Delhi.
Delhi Police personnel entered the aircraft that was carrying Dipke.
🚨 ABHIJEET DIPKE, SAURAV DAS AND ASHUTOSH RANKA DETAINED FROM INSIDE THEIR FLIGHT 🚨
— Cockroach Janta Party - CJP (@Cockroachisback) October 10, 2026
Shame on you @narendramodi @AmitShah pic.twitter.com/hXl6bzh53i
Heavy traffic jams were reported in several parts of Central Delhi on Saturday amid the security forces' deployment to thwart the Cockroach Janta Party's protest against the CEC at Jantar Mantar.
Checks at several key stretches leading to the protest site led to congestion and slowed down the movement of vehicles.
Barricades and heightened surveillance also added to the bumper-to-bumper traffic across central Delhi.
(PTI)
The sweeping crackdown against the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has widened to target key young professionals and academics within the organization. The Delhi Police have detained CJP’s Policy Lead, Mehr Pasricha, a Harvard University graduate who had recently returned to India to engage in public service.
Condemning the arrest on X, the official CJP handle wrote,
"CJP’s Policy Lead, @mehrpasr, someone who returned to India after studying from Harvard University so she could serve her country, has been detained by the Delhi Police. @narendramodi India’s youth don’t deserve to be treated like this, we don’t deserve your dictatorship!"
The CPI(M) leaders were on their way to join students and youth protesting. The party accused the government of curbing fundamental rights.
Polit Bureau member and former Keralam CM @pinarayivijayan, Rajya Sabha MP @JohnBrittas and Central Committee member and former Keralam Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal have been detained in a jeep and are being taken away, The Wire reports.
— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) October 10, 2026
They were on their way on to Jantar… pic.twitter.com/3RAXf9uDB2
The sweeping crackdown on the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has drawn sharp political condemnation, with AAP National Convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal attacking the Centre over the high-profile detentions of CJP leaders, including founder Abhijeet Dipke.
Weighing in on the unfolding events, Kejriwal posted on X:
"It’s official.. we are living under an absolute dictatorship ruled by Modi. Arresting cockroaches straight off their flight shows an unprecedented level of fear."
He further added, "PM Modi clearly knows he only won the election through vote chori and now he is hell-bent on protecting his fraud by completely crushing democracy. Gyanesh must go, but so must Modi."
Kejriwal's remarks come as security forces intensify operations across the capital, having already detained prominent figures like YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, policy lead Mehr Pasricha, and key coordinators Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka straight from their incoming flight at IGI Airport.
AAP leaders and workers were protesting over the issue involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar when police detained them outside the Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Chandigarh.
#WATCH | Manish Sisodia and Punjab AAP workers and leaders detained by the Police as they protested in front of the Chief Electoral Officer in Chandigarh over CEC Gyanesh Kumar matter. pic.twitter.com/ebb6j7qNzA
— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2026
CJP has posten on 'X' that their Legal Affairs Head Ratna Singh was blockaded and detained inside a vehicle by the Delhi Police.
According to reports and statements from Singh herself, police teams arrived earlier to detain her based on what officers termed "verbal orders from above," but lacked any written warrants or official notice. Video footage released by the party shows Singh trapped inside a car surrounded by a heavy deployment of roughly 35 police personnel, including a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), who refused to let her step out.
Speaking from inside the vehicle, Singh noted that she had been on her way to join a gathering of lawyers intending to protest outside the Supreme Court ahead of the planned "Jantar Mantar 2.0" demonstrations. She pointed out that three people do not legally constitute an unlawful assembly.
The CJP legal team is moving an urgent application before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court through advocate Adit Pujari to challenge what they have called an entirely illegal detention designed to cripple the party's leadership before the demonstrations can begin.
DMK president M K Stalin on Saturday said "dissent is not a crime", and that democracy cannot survive by silencing those who rise to defend it.
He alleged that the scenes unfolding in Delhi and the "scale of repression being unleashed against peaceful protesters," brings him back the painful memories of the infamous Emergency (1975-77) that he lived through.
Mumbai Police have detained activist Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi, who heads the organization Hum Bharat Ke Log, was picked up from Bandra and taken to the DN Nagar police station ahead of a planned demonstration at Mumbai's historic August Kranti Maidan. The gathering had been organized in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) ongoing "Jantar Mantar 2.0" agitation in New Delhi
With top CJP leadership—including founder Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka—currently detained by Delhi Police following their interception at IGI Airport, the Cockroach Janta Party has announced its contingency leadership line-up.
The party officially announced on X that CJP Organization In-Charge Ajinkya Shinde will now lead the demonstrations on the ground at Jantar Mantar.
Anticipating a mass crackdown and potential arrest, Abhijeet Dipke had pre-recorded a video message last night. The CJP handle posted the update, stating:
"Until Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are in detention, CJP’s Organization In-Charge Ajinkya Shinde will lead this protest at Jantar Mantar. Abhijeet had pre-recorded this video last night in anticipation of a potential arrest, " CJP posted on X.
IMPORTANT
— Cockroach Janta Party - CJP (@Cockroachisback) October 10, 2026
Until Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are in detention, CJP’s Organization In-Charge Ajinkya Shinde will lead this protest at Jantar Mantar.
Abhijeet had pre-recorded this video last night in anticipation of a potential arrest. @AjinkyaCJP pic.twitter.com/WSQ69mKfTV
Protesters allegedly stone-pelted security personnel at Imtiaz Ali Marg near Akashwani Bhawan after toppling barricades during the proposed Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) stir against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in the national capital on Saturday, officials said.
Around noon, 25 to 30 protesters jumped barricades on Imtiaz Ali Marg and stone-pelleted at security personnel, they said, adding that some of them have been detained and two police personnel were injured in the process.
Police have detained about 500 people as protesters attempted to reach Jantar Mantar despite authorities denying permission to protest and enforcing strict security measures across the New Delhi district. Several protesters were chased and detained as they tried to regroup at different locations and evade the security cordon.
The protest was scheduled to begin at 10.30 am, but police and paramilitary personnel prevented participants from reaching the designated area, where prohibitory orders are in force. Several protesters were detained from locations including Connaught Place, while many others were sent back.
(PTI)
Delhi Police on Saturday detained around 500 protesters, who were trying to reach Jantar Mantar for the proposed CJP stir against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Sources said the protestors were detained across the New Delhi area, where police are using drones to monitor movement of people attempting to reach the protest site.
The protestors were detained from several places, including near Regal Cinema, Minto Bridge and near Akashwani Bhawan.
Ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed protest at Jantar Mantar, police sources said over 600 people with criminal records were also detained across all 15 districts of the national capital as part of preventive measures.
The preventive action is aimed at ensuring that people with criminal backgrounds do not create a law-and-order situation during the proposed demonstration, the sources said.
Police are also keeping a close watch on the movements of certain people, who could mobilise crowds or influence others to participate in the proposed protest, the sources said.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee detained from South Avenue along with party leaders Derek O'Brien, Dola Sen and others.
VIDEO | Delhi: TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and party leaders sit on a dharna at a bus stand at South Avenue, detained by Delhi Police.#DelhiPolice #TMC #MamataBanerjee #DelhiNews
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 10, 2026
(Source: Third Party)
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) pic.twitter.com/pNoqjY2qkg
AISA president Neha, CPI(ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya along with activists Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan were detained near INA market in Delhi during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The activists, along with several AISA members, were marching toward the Safdarjung Flyover, raising slogans against the CEC when the Delhi Police detained them. CPI(ML) L leader Balaji said they were being taken in different vehicles.
The detentions come amid heightened security in New Delhi following the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) call for a protest against CEC Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Roads leading to New Delhi have been shut, and several metro stations, as well as two key railway stations in Delhi, have been closed.
We have been detained. But it does not matter.
— Neha (@neha_aisa) October 10, 2026
To my fellow Gen Z: This is our 1942. Their jails can hold a few of us but not all of us.
Wherever any of us is stopped today, we sit down right there and begin. Every corner becomes Jantar Mantar. pic.twitter.com/nblf0tYnzA
AISA president Neha Bora confirmed her detention, urging protesters to hold their ground if stopped by police.
"I am in detention. The movement is not. People are assembling at SAFDARJUNG FLYOVER right now. If you can, reach. If you are stopped, sit down where you are and hold the line," Bora wrote on X.
UPDATE:
— Neha (@neha_aisa) October 10, 2026
I am in detention. The movement is not.
People are assembling at SAFDARJUNG FLYOVER right now. If you can, reach.
If you are stopped, sit down where you are and hold the line. pic.twitter.com/b7gRXwqnRM
Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has been detained outside his residence while marching towards Jantar Mantar during protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The former Delhi chief minister earlier in the day slammed the Centre over the "worse than Emergency" security clampdown in central Delhi to thwart the CJP protest and the detention of the outfit's top leadership.
VIDEO | Delhi: AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal detained during protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 10, 2026
(Source: Third Party)
(Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) pic.twitter.com/pwiC8Tup30
"Three-time Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal brutally taken into custody by Delhi Police, for demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation. Modi Ji: how many people will you put behind bars to save Gyanesh Kumar?" Atishi, a senior AAP leader said in a post on X.
On Friday, Kejriwal had said he and his family will attend the protest and urged youngsters to join the demonstration demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the alleged "vote theft".
Following the detention of CJP leaders on Saturday morning, Kejriwal said that by arresting "cockroaches" on their flight, Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed that he is "scared".
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke's paternal grandmother passed away at the age of 85 in Maharashtra's Hingoli district on Saturday following a prolonged illness, family sources said.
Savitribai Shankarrao Dipke breathed her last at 11.30 am at the paternal house in Santuk Pimpri village. She was ill for a month and was hospitalised in Hingoli earlier.
Her last rites will be performed at 10 am on Sunday, the sources said.
"As Abhijeet Dipke has been detained in the national capital, we could not contact him. But we have contacted his parents, and they are on the way to Santuk Pimpri," said Dipke's cousin.
Former JNUSU president and SFI national joint secretary Aishe Ghosh said she and 17 others had been detained and taken to Mundka police station, where they were locked up.
All the detainees are women, Ghosh said in a post on X.
17 of us have been brought to Mundka Police Station. All detainees are women. The police have locked us inside.
— Aishe (ঐশী) (@aishe_ghosh) October 10, 2026
Activist Yogendra Yadav, who has deen detained along with others, said that protesters had managed to set up 'Jantar Mantar 2.0' at several sites in Delhi despite heavy police restrictions.
Yadav said he marched nearly 2 km from AIIMS with AISA president Neha Bora, advocate Prashant Bhushan, CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, Shadaan Farasat and nearly 500 young protesters, bypassing two barricades.
He said the protesters blocked a police van carrying Bora before police personnel grabbed him and pushed him into another van.
The remaining protesters were still being detained, Yadav said in a post on X, adding, "Jantar Mantar lives on. The fight continues."
The news godi media won’t tell you: The protesters succeeded in setting up Jantar Mantar 2.0 at several sites in Delhi.
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) October 10, 2026
Despite curfew like situation, we managed to breach the fortress. With @neha_aisa @pbhushan1 Deepankar Bhattacharya, Shadaan Farasat and nearly 500 young… pic.twitter.com/mnjXuSU9rx
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday lashed out at the Modi government over the detentions by Delhi police, saying it has turned the 'mother of democracy' into a 'muzzled democracy'. The Congress chief alleged that the cowardice of the BJP-RSS is on full display today.
"Our youth, students, lawyers, journalists, social activists, farm union leaders, You Tubers, content creators, everyone who is questioning this regime are being detained," Kharge said on X.
"Modi government has turned the 'Mother of Democracy' into a 'Muzzled Democracy'!" he said.
Detentions, arrests, jails, lathis and pellets cannot deter the people of India, the Congress chief asserted.
"Since the days of our Freedom struggle, the youth have been at the forefront of shaping the nation's destiny," he said.
The Congress Party, along with the united Opposition, will fight "this tyrannical regime, tooth and nail", Kharge said.
"We shed our blood to win India's freedom. We will continue to fight, with every ounce of our strength, to defend our Democracy, our Constitution and the fundamental rights of every Indian," Kharge said.
His remarks came as protesters attempted to reach Jantar Mantar.
The protest meant to take the city "hostage" turned out to be a "flop show", BJP leader Sambit Patra said on Saturday, even as he accused Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of spreading anarchy in cahoots with foreign powers.
It was a victory of democracy over the mobocracy, Patra said, after hundreds of youths and several politicians who headed to the Jantar Mantar protest site were detained by the police.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters, Patra called Gandhi a "nalayak" leader, condemning his Friday remarks that President Droupadi Murmu did not deny the INDIA bloc's "vote chori" allegation at a meeting.
"What is happening at Jantar Mantar and what is being shown on TV and across various social media handles does not represent the true story of India. India is peaceful, and India is moving forward with good governance," Patra said
He alleged that there was an attempt to hold the national capital and the whole of India hostage through the protest.
"There were attempts to incite violence, physical altercations, and street battles here. It remained a flop show. Democracy triumphed over mob rule. Given the way democracy has asserted itself in Delhi today and the fact that the entire situation is under control, I wish to reiterate that the anarchists have failed, and their flop show did not succeed," he added.
The Delhi Police has informed CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke about the death of his grandmother in Maharashtra and left it to him to decide whether he wants to remain under detention and continue the protest or return home for her last rites, police sources said on Saturday.
Dipke's paternal grandmother, Savitribai Shankarrao Dipke, 85, died at her home in Santuk Pimpri village in Maharashtra's Hingoli district around 11.30 am on Saturday following a prolonged illness, family sources said.
Her last rites will be performed at 10 am on Sunday, they said.
Dipke, along with Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, was detained by the Delhi Police at the airport upon their arrival from Mumbai for the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The CJP said that the three leaders were detained from inside the aircraft soon after it landed in the national capital.
A cousin of Dipke said the family had initially been unable to contact him because he was detained in Delhi. His parents had been informed and were on their way to the village, the cousin said.
Amid Delhi Police's crackdown on protesters in the national capital, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday alleged that India is "not a democracy" anymore but a "dictatorship" run by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
The Congress general secretary said all those who are colluding with them to subvert democracy are committing treason against the nation.
"First they rough up 254 MPs and detain them completely illegally, infringing on their basic constitutional rights; they do the same to other protesters from Opposition parties, Priyanka Gandhi said.
"Then they lay siege to the national capital, barricading it and sealing it on all sides, stopping trains and metros, cutting the internet and placing check posts all over. They bash up and detain young men and women exercising their constitutional right to protest," she said.
"If this isn't proof that they have cheated the elections in collusion with the Election Commission, and are terrified that the illegitimacy of their government is being exposed and accountability is being demanded, then what is?" she said.
"India is not a democracy anymore. It is a dictatorship being run by Mr Narendra Modi and Mr Amit Shah," she reiterated.
Delhi Police on Saturday detained more than 3,000 protesters, who were trying to reach Jantar Mantar for the proposed CJP stir against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Sources said the protesters were detained across the New Delhi area and other districts, where police are using drones to monitor movement of people attempting to reach the protest site.
The protesters were detained from several places, including near Regal Cinema, Minto Bridge and near Akashwani Bhawan.
Ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed protest at Jantar Mantar, police sources said over 600 people with criminal records were also detained across all the districts of the national capital as part of preventive measures.
The preventive action is aimed at ensuring that people with criminal backgrounds do not create a law-and-order situation during the proposed demonstration, the sources said.
Thousands of protesters were detained in Delhi on Saturday as police mounted a major security operation ahead of a demonstration called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged voter theft during the contentious Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Over 7,000 protesters attempting to reach Jantar Mantar for the proposed CJP demonstration were detained.
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and former Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar were among the political leaders detained.
CJP founder Abhijit Dipke and leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained inside their aircraft after it landed in Delhi from Mumbai.
AISA president Neha Bora, activists Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan were detained near INA Market while attempting to march to Jantar Mantar.
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was detained at his residence in Gurugram ahead of the proposed CJP protest. Rathee, who lives abroad, had travelled to India to join the demonstration against the CEC.
In a pre-recorded video released after his detention, Dipke said CJP's in-charge Ajinkya Shinde would lead the protest at Jantar Mantar, adding that the agitation will continue nationwide, with or without its leaders.
The plan was to assemble at Jantar Mantar, but it was not to be.
A sea of khaki and blue-green fatigues, metal barriers and buses parked askew on streets turned India's address of dissent into a fortress on Saturday, scattering protesters across Delhi, with small groups raising slogans, changing routes and trying to regroup, before being detained.
By 5 PM, at least 3,000 people were detained.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) had called for a demonstration to demand Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, accusing him of masterminding voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll and other irregularities related to Form 6, used for voter registration.
But with heavy security deployment preventing protesters from reaching the designated venue, what was meant to be a collective gathering soon spilled into streets, intersections and alternative meeting points across Delhi.
Saturday's protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations that have rocked New Delhi this past week, including one by Congress activists led by Rahul Gandhi. A new protest by the INDIA opposition bloc is scheduled for Monday.
From Connaught Place and Gurdwara Bangla Sahib to Dilli Haat, Gole Market, INA market and Minto Bridge, the protesters moved between locations, searching for places to assemble and trying to find others who had set out for Jantar Mantar.
At several points, slogans rang out before police personnel moved in, chasing protesters and detaining them. Unlike the July protests, however, police did not use force and no violence was reported.
For protesters who had attended the demonstration in July, the difference was stark. They had assembled at Jantar Mantar before marching, but this time even deciding where to meet had become a challenge.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Saturday extended the closure of entry and exit gates at 45 metro stations by four hours till 10 pm amid security arrangements for the CJP protest in the national capital.
The stations, which were earlier scheduled to reopen at 6 pm, will continue to remain closed till 10 pm on Saturday, the DMRC said in a revised service update. The situation will be reviewed by security agencies and further updates will be shared accordingly, it said.
The restrictions were initially imposed from 9 pm on Friday for security reasons ahead of the protest.
On Friday, the DMRC had revised its earlier advisory, reducing the number of stations facing entry and exit restrictions from 57 to 45. The curbs were imposed following a request from Delhi Police in view of the anticipated protest and concerns over crowd movement towards sensitive locations.
The restrictions cover several key stations across the metro network, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Janpath, Mandi House, ITO, Kashmere Gate and New Delhi.
Interchange facilities were allowed at the affected stations, except New Delhi metro station, under the earlier advisory.
Six Delhi Police personnel, including a member of the Pink Force, were injured while detaining more than 3,000 protesters across New Delhi on Saturday, with stones allegedly hurled at security personnel at two locations, officials said.
The injured personnel were taken to nearby hospitals. The circumstances of their injuries are being ascertained, officials said.
Suman, a Pink Force member, told PTI that she fractured a finger while detaining protesters near the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place. She alleged that some women twisted her finger as police detained a crowd of around 100 to 150 people.
Stone-throwing incidents were reported near Akashwani Bhawan and the Hanuman temple. Police said 25 to 30 protesters toppled barricades and hurled stones at security personnel on Imtiaz Ali Marg near Akashwani Bhawan around noon. Some protesters were detained. The injuries were reported near Kartavya Path police station, a police source said.
Jantar Mantar area remained clear of protesters on Saturday, police said, with New Delhi DCP sharing a video to counter claims circulating on social media that a large number of people had gathered at the protest site.
The 37-second video showed the area without any protesters, debunking claims of a gathering at the venue amid heightened security in the national capital over the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Police had made elaborate security arrangements to prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar and detained over 3,000 protesters in different parts of New Delhi district.
A civil rights organisation on Saturday condemned the detention of youths protesting for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the authorities of "flagrantly trampling" upon citizens' rights.
The organisation, Jan Hastakshep, also said that despite the Central government turning the national capital into an impregnable fortress, thousands of people managed to stage peaceful protests at dozens of locations.
"Strongly condemning this assault on citizens' constitutional right to protest and their right to freedom of movement, the Jan Hastakshep demands that metro, internet and railway services not be disrupted during protests in future," its co-convenor Anil Dubey said in a statement.
The organisation also condemned the police action against students, youth, lawyers, political party leaders and trade union leaders who were peacefully protesting in Delhi.
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Saturday alleged that the government used force on protesters supporting the CJP in Delhi and Mumbai to silence dissent and suppress their democratic rights.
He also criticised the detention of CJP convener Abhijeet Dipke, alleging that the action was intended to weaken and derail the protest movement.
Speaking to reporters in Jalna, Jarange alleged that the government was behaving in an authoritarian manner and was unwilling to address the concerns of students, youth and economically weaker sections of society.
"The protests were organised to raise issues affecting students and the poor. If the government is unwilling to allow people to protest for their problems, it shows that it does not want to listen to their concerns," he said, adding that detentions won't resolve the issues raised by demonstrators but would instead deepen public discontent.
The detentions took place at multiple locations across the national capital amid heavy security, barricades and restrictions on movement in view of the demonstration called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Over 7,000 protesters, who were trying to reach Jantar Mantar for the proposed CJP stir against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar have been detained, officials tell PTI.
They say police are likley to file FIR in alleged assault against personnel
Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal on Saturday questioned the legality of detaining people to restrict them from participating in the protest at Jantar Mantar demanding resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and alleged that several protesters were taken to undisclosed locations.
Addressing a press conference, Sibal questioned the imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), saying such restrictions were meant to prevent threats to public order and not to stop peaceful demonstrations.
"If a person or a community wants to protest peacefully, then who is in danger? The society is not in danger. It seems that the government is in danger," he argued.
Sibal questioned why people travelling to Delhi by train and air were being detained before reaching the protest venue, and cited several names of people he said had been held in Karnataka and West Bengal.
"If a youth gets on a train, will you arrest him? On what basis will you arrest him? What kind of law is this," he asked.
Sibal also questioned the practice of taking detainees to undisclosed locations without informing their families about their whereabouts.
"You formally arrest someone. Tell us where you are taking him," he said.
Referring to the security deployment in the capital, Sibal questioned the need for such a large force to deal with a peaceful demonstration.
"And you need 28 battalions for this? You need CAPF and Delhi Police for this? Thousands and thousands," he said.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said the Centre’s handling of protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi reminded him of the treatment meted out to people in Kashmir. He said suppressing the Opposition’s voice and denying people the right to raise legitimate concerns undermined the spirit of democracy.
The Supreme Court will hear on Sunday a contempt plea alleging that authorities violated its order against a complete suspension of metro and train services during the CJP protest in Delhi.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called for protests to resume on Sunday, vowing to continue its agitation until all its demands are met. “We’re not backing down! We will march to Jantar Mantar again tomorrow and stay there until all our demands are met,” the party said in a fresh post on X.
The Modi Govt fears that if we unite again, their throne will be at stake.
— Cockroach Janta Party - CJP (@Cockroachisback) October 10, 2026
But we’re not backing down! We will march to Jantar Mantar again tomorrow and stay there until all our demands are met.@AjinkyaCJP pic.twitter.com/Z9wJB29bFU
The UN Human Rights Office expressed concern over reports of mass detentions of protesters, civil society members, lawyers and journalists in Delhi on Saturday, urging authorities to uphold the right to peaceful assembly.
#India: We are concerned by reports of mass detentions of demonstrators, protest leaders, members of civil society organisations, lawyers and journalists, before and during today’s large-scale demonstrations in Delhi.
— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) October 10, 2026
We call on the authorities to ensure that the right to… pic.twitter.com/ycV2CYB8k7
Delhi Traffic Police warned of possible disruptions and diversions from 6 am on Sunday at 30 locations, advising commuters to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
DELHI TRAFFIC POLICE ADVISORY
— Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) October 10, 2026
In view of the law and order situation, traffic may be impacted on following stretches in Delhi on 11.10.2026.
1. Diversions
Diversions will be enforced starting from 06:00 AM on 11.10.2026 depending upon prevailing situation. General public is… pic.twitter.com/GTaQiWCmP1
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta called the protests “extremely unfortunate”, accusing Congress, AAP, Left and CJP protesters of creating confrontation. She thanked residents for their restraint and praised Delhi Police for professionally maintaining law and order and ensuring public safety.
दिल्ली की सड़कों पर आज जो कुछ हुआ, वह अत्यंत दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण है। कांग्रेस + आप + लेफ्ट + CJP के लोगों ने विरोध के नाम पर खुलेआम तांडव किया। शांति व्यवस्था सुनिश्चित करने में जुटी दिल्ली पुलिस और सभी सुरक्षा बलों को उकसाया गया और जानबूझकर टकराव की स्थिति पैदा करने प्रयास किया गया।…
— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) October 10, 2026
The Delhi High Court Bar Association on Saturday condemned the detention of lawyers and alleged excessive police force during protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the SIR exercise. Citing footage of lawyers, including women advocates, being dragged by police, it called the treatment an affront to their dignity and constitutional rights.
(With inputs from PTI)
The DMRC reopened entry and exit gates at all Delhi Metro stations on Saturday after a 25-hour closure at 45 stations due to the CJP’s anti-CEC protest. Interchange facilities have also resumed.
Service Update
— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) October 10, 2026
Entry and exit gates of all Metro Stations of the Delhi Metro network are now open. The interchange facility at all the concerned Metro stations is also available.
Protest against electoral roll 'irregularities' to continue across country until CEC Gyanesh Kumar resigns: CJP.
