Delhi Police Detain Hundreds Protesting Election Chief

Delhi Police detained hundreds of protesters on Friday as opposition parties and student organisations marched toward Jantar Mantar demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation. Protesters allege irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and mass deletion of voters.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj and Sanjeev Jha, and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh were among those detained. NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar and AISA president Neha Bora were also taken into custody during separate marches.

“The voice of the people's votes cannot be suppressed by the might of any power.”

Telangana Today reports more than 500 people were detained at Jantar Mantar and nearby locations. DT Next cites police detaining about 700 protesters overall, with around 700 SFI members stopped at the Ashoka Road roundabout.

Authorities suspended internet services in central Delhi and closed entry and exit gates at 12 metro stations, including Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat. Police made public announcements prohibiting assembly at Jantar Mantar.

Protesters raised slogans targeting Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and carried placards and masks depicting their faces. The Indian Youth Congress marched from its Raisina Road office led by president Uday Bhanu Chib.