A protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over alleged irregularities in voter lists has led to mass detentions, heightened security and possible traffic restrictions across central Delhi, although Delhi Metro entry and exit gates have since reopened and Northern Railway has announced a return to normal train schedules.
According to the report, more than 3,000 people were detained in Delhi on Saturday after CJP called for demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Most detainees were released by the night, while CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka remained in custody, along with YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, the report said.
Delhi Police said the three CJP leaders were being held as a preventive measure and would be produced before an executive magistrate at Delhi Cantonment police station at 9am on Sunday. Ratna Singh, identified as CJP’s legal head, said on X that she and other lawyers would be present at the police station to represent the leaders. The report also said that security had been strengthened around Jantar Mantar and nearby areas.
CJP announced another demonstration at Jantar Mantar at 10am on Sunday and said it would continue its protest until the Chief Election Commissioner resigned. The previous day’s demonstrations reportedly took place in small groups across several parts of the capital, including Delhi Haat, Safdarjung Flyover, Connaught Place, Parliament Street and Rajghat.
The protest affected public transport planning. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said all station entry and exit gates had been reopened and interchange facilities restored. The report said 45 metro stations had earlier been closed because of the demonstration. The affected access restrictions created a direct mobility challenge for commuters using interchange stations and travelling through central Delhi.
Delhi Traffic Police warned that movement could be affected at around 30 locations from 6am, depending on the law-and-order situation. The locations listed in the advisory included Dhaula Kuan Flyover, Jhandewalan, Mandi House, Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar Road, Lodi Road Flyover, Patel Chowk, Rail Bhawan and areas around RML Hospital. Travellers heading to railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and the airport were advised to plan in advance, allow additional time and avoid non-essential journeys. Traffic updates were available through helpline numbers 1095 and 011-25844444.
Northern Railway’s chief public relations officer Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay said all train services would operate according to their normal timetable from midnight on October 11, 2026. The announcement was relevant for passengers whose journeys could have been affected by restrictions in central Delhi and routes leading to major transport hubs.
The episode also drew a response from the United Nations human rights office. The report said the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern over the reported detention of protesters, civil society members, lawyers and journalists. India rejected the comments as inappropriate interference in its internal affairs, stating that peaceful assembly is constitutionally protected but subject to reasonable restrictions in the interests of public order. The government also said that courts were available to address grievances.
The immediate transport measures are therefore centred on restoring regular metro access and train operations while retaining the possibility of road diversions. The three CJP leaders were scheduled to be produced before an executive magistrate, and Delhi authorities were expected to issue movement-related directions according to the situation.
