Delhi Police Register Three FIRs After Election Protest

Delhi Police registered at least three cases after detaining at least 1,000 people during an October 2 demonstration in New Delhi, where protesters sought Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls. Police said the protest violated restrictions imposed ahead of the planned gathering at Jantar Mantar. Many detainees were later released, according to reports, but a final count of those held was not available. Two first information reports were registered at Parliament Street police station and one at Connaught Place police station, a senior police officer said on October 3. Police invoked a provision concerning disobedience of an order issued by a public servant. The officer said no individual or organisation had been named as an accused, although the reports referred to organisers and groups involved in or proposing the demonstrations. The protest drew students, political leaders and civil society activists, including members of student organisations and political parties.