Delhi Police detain about 500 at protest against election chief

Delhi Police detained about 500 or more people during an October 2 protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, according to police estimates reported during the day. Those detained included Aam Aadmi Party leaders and student activists. The final number of people detained was not established in the available accounts. The demonstration was called by political parties and student groups, including the All India Students Association, the Students’ Federation of India and the National Students’ Union of India. Protesters demanded Kumar’s resignation, alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and large-scale voter deletions. Those allegations were claims made by protesters; the reports did not provide electoral records substantiating them or a response from the Election Commission addressing them. Police estimates changed as the operation unfolded. An earlier estimate put the number detained at about 150, while later accounts cited roughly 500 or more across Jantar Mantar and nearby locations. A police source separately said around 700 SFI members had been stopped at the Ashoka Road roundabout, with many detained.