Delhi Police deny permission for anti-CEC rally amid massive security build up
Metro curbs, train cancellations and 23,000 personnel deployed ahead of Jantar Mantar protest
New Delhi : Delhi Police have denied permission for a planned protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on Saturday (October 10), as authorities impose sweeping security restrictions across the Indian capital, including possible metro station closures, train cancellations and the deployment of around 23,000 forces’ personnel.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the police denied permission to the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and several student organizations to hold the demonstration.
Joint Commissioner of Police, New Delhi range, Nupur Prasad, said the police received the application on October 7, just three days before the proposed protest on October 10. Under the rules, applications seeking permission for such demonstrations must be submitted at least 10 days in advance, she said. Prasad also cited violations during a previous demonstration as a reason for refusing permission.
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been imposed in the New Delhi district, restricting gatherings, processions and other activities in specified circumstances. Police also warned of legal action against violators.
In a further security measure, the Delhi police have written to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), asking it to consider closing entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations from Friday night, October 9, citing the likelihood of “unruly crowd movement towards sensitive locations.”
Meanwhile, Indian Railways has cancelled all trains arriving at and departing from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations for 10 hours on Saturday ahead of the protest.
Reacting to the developments, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke posted on X, “Narendra Modi just made EMERGENCY official.” Later, the CJP leaders reiterated their determination to reach Delhi on Saturday. “See you tomorrow,” they said.
The BJP-led Indian government has already deployed 23,000 central forces personnel to assist the Delhi police, including five all-women paramilitary companies during the scheduled protest.
The BJP-led Indian government has deployed 221 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), comprising around 23,000 personnel to assist Delhi Police from October 8 to 12, The Indian Express reported. The deployment includes five all-women paramilitary companies.
In another security measure, Delhi Police have established dedicated detention centres across all 15 districts and set up 37 blocking points in the New Delhi district, according to a separate report.
Authorities have also inspected hotels and guest houses across Delhi and instructed operators not to accommodate new visitors who appear to be arriving to participate in the protest.
