The Delhi Police has registered two FIRs over an INDIA Bloc protest march in central Delhi, alleging that the gathering was held without permission and that barricades were damaged using a truck, according to a report by The Indian Express. The cases were registered at the Barakhamba Road and Tilak Marg police stations after the march from Barakhamba Road towards the Supreme Court.
The Congress-led “Chalo Delhi” protest was organised to demand the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the withdrawal of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Thousands of supporters joined the march, which brought together senior leaders from several Opposition parties in one of the capital’s busiest administrative and judicial districts.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav and CPI(M) leader M A Baby were among those who participated, the report said. The presence of the INDIA Bloc’s senior leadership turned the demonstration into a major public gathering with direct implications for police deployment, road access and movement around Barakhamba Road, Tilak Marg and the Supreme Court area.
The police cases relate to two distinct alleged violations: conducting the march without permission and damaging public barricades. The report did not specify the sections of law invoked in the FIRs or the number of people named in the cases. The registration of the cases means the police investigation will now determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged damage and the organisation of the procession.
The march also coincided with a wider sequence of protests and police action in central Delhi. Over the previous 10 days, the Delhi Police had registered more than two dozen FIRs at different police stations in the area in connection with protests, violence and alleged violations of prohibitory orders. During a protest on October 10, the police arrested more than 20 people; they were later granted bail, according to The Indian Express.
The latest demonstration followed an unsuccessful attempt by Opposition leaders to meet Chief Justice of India Surya Kant after their meeting with President Droupadi Murmu. The leaders also jointly submitted a petition to the Supreme Court raising their objections to the Chief Election Commissioner and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
For central Delhi, repeated demonstrations have placed police restrictions, barricading and access management at the centre of the administrative response. The area contains major government, judicial and commercial destinations, making protest permissions and route controls directly relevant to commuters, residents, businesses and visitors. The latest FIRs add to the growing number of cases arising from recent demonstrations in the capital.
The Delhi Police investigation into the Barakhamba Road and Tilak Marg cases is the next formal step. Further details, including the specific legal provisions invoked and any arrests or notices issued in these cases, are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
