Delhi Police Detain 600 Ahead of Jantar Mantar Protest Against Chief Election Commissioner

Delhi is on high alert as the Cockroach Janta Party prepares for a major demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. Police have refused permission for the protest, citing security and space constraints. Jantar Mantar can accommodate only around 1,000 people at a time, authorities said.

Ahead of the planned rally, at least 600 people have been detained across Delhi under Section 65 of the Delhi Police Act. Security has been significantly strengthened, with drones deployed near Hotel Le Méridien roundabout in central Delhi to monitor the situation. Internet services have been suspended for 24 hours within a 4-km radius of the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing as a precautionary measure.

Delhi Police justified the restrictions, stating they must balance the public's right to protest with residents' safety and the functioning of key establishments and constitutional bodies. Traffic diversions and transport restrictions remain in place. Police have also detained approximately 30–40 people with criminal records across all 15 districts as a preventive measure.