New Delhi: Tension prevailed at Jantar Mantar in the national capital as opposition parties, student organisations and civil society groups staged a protest alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being carried out as part of the election process. Delhi Police detained Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bharadwaj, former Chief Minister Atishi, and several other party workers in connection with the demonstration. Police said nearly 700 people have so far been detained for participating in the gathering at Jantar Mantar.
The protest was joined by the Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, the RJD, and several student organisations, with demonstrators demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police had not granted prior permission for the protest, following which a heavy police deployment was made around Jantar Mantar, with barricades put up to block protesters from assembling.
Authorities imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the New Delhi district, barring unauthorised gatherings, rallies, dharnas, sloganeering and public meetings. Police said the decision was taken in view of public safety, law and order, and traffic considerations.
In light of the protest, entry and exit gates at 11 Metro stations across Delhi were shut, including Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House and New Delhi stations.
Delhi Traffic Police said restrictions and diversions would remain in force around Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street, Ashoka Road and adjoining areas, and advised commuters to use alternative routes to avoid inconvenience.