New Delhi: Delhi Police have detained around 150 people ahead of a proposed demonstration by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar over Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Police denied permission for the planned gathering, citing concerns over public safety and alleged previous violations of protest guidelines. Security arrangements have been tightened around the protest venue as authorities seek to prevent an unauthorised assembly.
Addressing reporters in New Delhi, Joint Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad said organisers must submit applications for demonstrations and other public programmes at Jantar Mantar at least 10 days before the scheduled event.
According to the police, the application for the proposed CJP protest did not meet the required advance-notice period.
Protest Centres on Election Commission and SIR
The planned demonstration focuses on demands concerning the functioning of the Election Commission and the SIR exercise, which involves reviewing electoral rolls.
CJP supporters have called for action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and changes to the ongoing electoral revision process. The proposed gathering has drawn attention from security agencies, which have introduced measures to restrict unauthorised demonstrations in the capital.
Police Step Up Preventive Measures
Authorities have maintained that permission is necessary for demonstrations at the designated venue and have pointed to public order considerations in refusing the CJP request.
The detention of approximately 150 people marks a significant development in the run-up to the planned protest. However, further details about the identities of those detained, the circumstances of their detention and whether they will be released have not been provided in the information available.
The situation remains under police monitoring as authorities enforce restrictions around Jantar Mantar.
The police position is that advance applications and compliance with established guidelines are essential for managing public gatherings safely. CJP supporters, meanwhile, have sought to draw attention to their concerns over the chief election commissioner and the electoral roll revision process.
