Delhi Restricts Movement, Detains Protesters Ahead of Rally

Indian authorities restricted movement in parts of New Delhi and detained protesters on October 10 as the Cockroach Janta Party sought to hold a rally demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over voter-list revisions. The party’s founder, Abhijeet Dipke, and senior leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were also detained, the group said. The planned demonstration was to take place at Jantar Mantar, but police had not granted permission and security forces blocked access to the area. Barricades and checkpoints were set up, several metro stations and markets were closed, and mobile internet service was suspended in parts of the capital. Police said the temporary restrictions were intended to regulate movement, prevent overcrowding, maintain public order and protect safety. A Home Ministry official told Reuters that more than 2,000 people were detained across Delhi. Police had not immediately commented on that citywide figure. A police source separately said roughly 200 protesters were detained in the central business district. The accounts refer to different geographic scopes, and no final citywide tally or custody outcomes were reported.