Delhi shuts all liquor outlets for two days amid CJP protest plans
The Delhi government ordered all licensed liquor stores to close on October 9 and 10 as a preventive measure against a planned Cockroach Janta Party protest.
In response to a scheduled protest by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Delhi's excise, entertainment and luxury tax department ordered all licensed liquor retailers to remain closed on 09.10.2026 and 10.10.2026. The directive, issued after consultation with Delhi Police, is framed as a preventive step to safeguard public order. Security forces have been bolstered with about 11,000 extra Central Armed Police Forces personnel, bringing the total central deployment in the city to roughly 26,000, the highest since the 2020 northeast Delhi riots.
Police officials have also instructed officers to monitor potential protest routes from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, and to prevent any unauthorized gatherings at Jantar Mantar, where no protest permission has been granted. Opposition groups, including the All India Students’ Association and left parties, have already been demonstrating in the capital, adding to the tense atmosphere.
Why it matters
The shutdown reflects heightened security concerns as a major protest targets a senior election official, affecting daily life and public order in Delhi.
How this story developed
- Oct 2 Youth party and student groups rally to demand resignation of India's election chief
- Oct 5 Delhi police deployed roughly 5,000 officers and paramilitary units ahead of two anti‑CEC marches.
- Oct 6 Opposition MPs including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were briefly detained during a protest march toward the Election Commission.
- Oct 6 When police barred the INDIA bloc march to the Election Commission, Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka redirected the demonstration to the Akashvani Bhavan building.
- Oct 7 Cockroach Janta Party filed a formal notice with Delhi police about an Oct 10 Jantar Mantar protest demanding the CEC’s resignation.
- Oct 7 Police detained Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi and other lawmakers during the protest and released them later that evening.
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