Delhi protests over alleged electoral irregularities led to the detention of nearly 2,500 people across the capital on October 10, while large parts of central Delhi faced severe restrictions, Metro closures, cancelled trains and commercial shutdowns, according to a report by The Hindu.
The protesters were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. With Jantar Mantar inaccessible because of heavy security, groups attempted to assemble at alternative locations, including Dilli Haat in south Delhi and areas around Connaught Place. Delhi Police sources said all detainees were released by late evening.
The operation began before the main protest, with around 1,000 people reportedly detained in preventive action across Delhi overnight. Several lawyers were also detained and later released following an intervention by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, the report said. A few journalists were among those detained.
New Delhi district was placed under a large security deployment involving more than 20,000 personnel from the Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces. Roads leading to Jantar Mantar were barricaded, while loudspeakers warned people of legal action if they ignored police instructions. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita was cited in announcements prohibiting rallies and processions in the area.
The restrictions had a direct impact on daily movement. Forty-five Metro stations were shut, more than 200 trains arriving in Delhi were cancelled, and schools and colleges suspended classes. Marketplaces across central Delhi, including the Connaught Place area, remained closed or largely deserted. Incoming vehicles were monitored at Delhi’s borders, where several people were detained before entering the city.
Protesters were detained from locations including Rajghat, Janpath, Connaught Place, Ashoka Road, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and ITO. Police transported them to facilities on the outskirts, including Burari, Nangloi, Mundka, Shalimar Bagh and Ashok Nagar, where large halls and stadiums were used as detention centres.
The main flashpoint was reported at the Safdarjung flyover, where AISA president Neha attempted to enter New Delhi district and march towards Jantar Mantar. She and several associates were detained. Other protesters gathered at the AISA protest site in Dilli Haat, prompting the group to declare that the location had become its alternative rally point.
Leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party and Left organisations said protests would continue daily until the Chief Election Commissioner resigned. The report also said that INDIA bloc leaders, including former Chief Ministers Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan, Manik Sarkar and Arvind Kejriwal, were detained during the day.
The disruption extended beyond Delhi. In Mumbai, police detained activist Tushar Gandhi and other organisers before a solidarity protest planned at August Kranti Maidan. More than 300 people were detained near Nana Chowk, while actor Imran Khan and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Varun Sardesai were among those held. The Delhi and Mumbai actions ended with releases of several detainees by the evening, but organisers announced that the protests would continue.
