Delhi police detain 160 protesters including senior lawyers in anti-CEC march
On Saturday, Delhi police arrested about 160 demonstrators, among them senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, activist Yogendra Yadav and AISA president Neha Bora, during a protest demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
A second consecutive anti-CEC demonstration unfolded at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, drawing lawyers, activists and students despite a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The protest, organized by AISA for a 1 pm start, was delayed by two hours and met with a sealed route and multiple security layers. When the march finally commenced near Vithal Bhai Patel House at about 3 pm, Delhi police began rounding up participants within minutes, ultimately detaining roughly 160 people.
Among those taken to Badarpur Police Station were senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, activist Yogendra Yadav, AISA president Neha Bora, RTI activist Anjali Bhardwaj and former MP Kapil Sibal. Police officials said the gathering lacked prior permission and that the order was necessary for public safety and traffic flow. In response, Yogendra Yadav announced a citizen march for October 4, accusing the police of brutality and urging people to rise against the CEC, Gyanesh Kumar.
Why it matters
The arrests highlight tensions between civil protest rights and law-enforcement actions in India's capital.
How this story developed
- Sep 23 Election Commission denies internal dissent, says all decisions were unanimous
- Sep 23 Congress senior filed a petition urging the Supreme Court to intervene and summon the Election Commission members.
- Sep 25 A Supreme Court petition seeking criminal prosecution of the chief election commissioner was filed.
- Sep 26 The Election Commission announced that Booth Level Officers will visit voters flagged in the SIR to collect supporting documents, with online hearings and additional help desks to be established.
- Sep 27 Opposition parties announced nationwide rallies and a parliamentary motion to force the CEC’s resignation following the removal of over 130 million voter names.
- Oct 2 The Supreme Court agreed to hear a petition questioning the Election Commission’s decision‑making next week.
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