Tehseen Poonawalla Claims House Arrest by Delhi Police

Activist Tehseen Poonawalla claimed on Saturday, August 1, 2026, that he was placed under house arrest by Delhi Police at his residence in the city's GK1 area to prevent him from carrying out a planned protest march and hunger strike. The demonstration was aimed at the central government's E20 petrol policy, which mandates a fuel blend of 20 percent ethanol and 80 percent petrol.

Poonawalla shared videos and posts on social media throughout the day, alleging a large police contingent, including women officers, was stationed outside his home without providing him any formal detention order or documents. In one video, he is heard telling an officer he was being detained 15 days before Independence Day. The officer responded that the planned protest might create a law and order situation and requested his cooperation.

The day's events followed a series of escalating actions by the activist. Authorities had earlier denied permission for a proposed "Gaadi March," or car march, which Poonawalla had planned for July 31 near Parliament. In response, he announced on that same date that he would instead undertake a solo walk from Claridges Hotel to Gandhi Smriti on August 1, observe a...