Delhi Police registers 3 FIRs over anti-CEC protests; no accused named
Mangalore Today News Network
New Delhi, Oct 3, 2026: Delhi Police on Saturday registered three FIRs in connection with Friday’s protests by student groups, political parties and civil society activists who attempted to gather at Jantar Mantar seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Two FIRs were registered at Parliament Street police station and one at Connaught Place police station under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with disobedience of an order issued by a public servant, a senior police officer said.
No individual or organisation has been named as an accused in the FIRs. However, the complaints mention details of organisers and organisations that proposed or participated in the demonstrations, the officer said.
The protesters had attempted to reach Jantar Mantar to demand Kumar’s resignation over allegations related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The FIRs do not detail the Election Commission’s position or responses to the allegations.
Police said the protesters violated prohibitory orders imposed across New Delhi district under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
The restrictions were imposed ahead of the protest to maintain public order, ensure safety and facilitate smooth traffic movement. The orders prohibited gatherings of five or more people, processions, demonstrations, picketing, dharnas, slogan shouting and speeches without prior written permission.
The carrying of firearms, banners, placards, lathis, swords, sticks, brickbats and similar objects was also prohibited.
Police had notified the restrictions nearly three hours before the proposed protest on Friday morning and warned that violations would attract action under Section 223 of the BNS and other applicable provisions.
Under Section 223, disobedience of such an order can attract imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to Rs 2,500, or both. If the violation causes or is likely to cause danger to human life, health or safety, or leads or is likely to lead to a riot or affray, the punishment can extend to one year, along with a fine of up to Rs 5,000, or both, according to police.
Nearly 1,000 people were detained from Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas as police and paramilitary personnel prevented large groups from reaching the protest venue. Many of those detained were later released.
Those detained included AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi, Sanjay Singh, Kuldeep Kumar, Jarnail Singh and Sanjeev Jha; AISA national president Neha Bora; civil society activist Yogendra Yadav; RJD MP Manoj Jha; CPI Rajya Sabha MP P Sandesh; Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib; NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar; and DYFI national president A A Rahim.
Several detainees were taken to different police stations, including Fatehpur Beri, Dwarka Sector 23, Karawal Nagar and Badarpur. Atishi, Anurag Dhanda and Kuldeep Kumar were taken to Fatehpur Beri, while Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Sanjeev Jha were taken to Dwarka Sector 23, according to details of the police action.