Delhi shuts 11 metro stations ahead of CEC Gyanesh Kumar protest
Delhi Metro authorities shut 11 stations on Friday ahead of a planned protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The closed stations were Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg, and New Delhi. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said interchange facilities would remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, INA, New Delhi, and Central Secretariat stations.
The Delhi authorities imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and tightened security around Jantar Mantar. The Delhi Police deployed Central Armed Police Forces personnel alongside police at key points in New Delhi district, with barricades erected and additional personnel positioned at entry and exit points. Authorities expected around 3,000 to 4,000 people to attend the gathering.
The protest, scheduled to begin at 11 am, was called by the All India Students' Association (AISA), Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha, and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan. The organisers are demanding the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in electoral rolls and the conduct of elections. The Delhi Police denied permission for the proposed protest.
