New Delhi: Delhi was placed under heavy security on October 10 as police detained hundreds of protesters ahead of a planned demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Those detained included Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora.

Dipke and CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained aboard a flight from Mumbai shortly after it landed. Police said permission for the Jantar Mantar protest had been denied over inadequate notice and concerns about compliance with rules.

Rathee was detained at his Gurugram residence, while Bora was held after urging supporters to assemble at Dilli Haat. Former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar, CPM MP John Brittas, and activists Prashant Bhushan and Yogendra Yadav were also detained as police intercepted groups across central Delhi.

Barricades, traffic diversions and vehicle checks were imposed across the capital, while access to dozens of Metro stations was restricted. Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed at key locations and border points. Reports also said mobile internet was suspended in parts of the city and some rail services were disrupted.

Around 1:00 p.m., protesters near Akashwani Bhawan allegedly crossed barricades and pelted police with stones, injuring two personnel. Several people were detained. Journalists also alleged they were held despite showing press identity cards, and that their official phones were seized.

Dipke said the protest would continue under CJP organiser Ajinkya Shinde. The demonstration challenges the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and changes involving Form 6, used for voter registration.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal called the crackdown “worse than the Emergency”. The BJP accused opposition leaders of attempting to destabilise the country, while Congress condemned the action and renewed its demand for Kumar’s resignation.