Delhi protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar have led to 25 FIRs in eight days, with cases citing alleged vandalism of public property, assaults, obstruction of government work and violations of prohibitory orders in the New Delhi district, The Indian Express reported.
The latest FIR was registered after INDIA bloc MPs held a protest near MOETS restaurant in Connaught Place on Thursday. The demonstration was followed by a minor scuffle between Congress and BJP supporters. The FIR against the Congress allegedly relates to a violation of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which imposes restrictions on assembly and movement in specified circumstances.
The protests began after All India Students’ Association president Neha Bora issued a call on October 2 seeking the CEC’s resignation. Two days later, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi issued a separate protest call, after which more than 300 Opposition MPs marched towards the CEC’s office, according to the report.
At least three FIRs have also been registered against Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over Wednesday’s protest. Delhi Police sources cited by The Indian Express said the cases concern alleged assault and obstruction of officers from performing their duties. The report did not establish the outcome of these allegations.
Police are also investigating an allegation by a Kashmiri man who said he was roughed up by Congress members after he raised slogans supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A police officer told the newspaper that charges relating to assault would be added depending on the findings of the investigation.
The protests have affected several high-security and high-footfall public locations in central Delhi, including Connaught Place, Rajghat, the CEC’s office, Parliament House and the route towards Rashtrapati Bhavan. The use of Section 163 and the registration of cases over public-property damage, alleged assaults and obstruction of police duties place the demonstrations within a wider administrative challenge: managing political assembly in spaces that also carry heavy commuter, security and civic functions.
Thursday was reported to be the third consecutive day of protests by Opposition MPs. A group led by Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha Opposition Leader Mallikarjun Kharge held a peaceful protest at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial at Rajghat and indicated that demonstrations would continue on Friday.
Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said the INDIA alliance had requested a meeting with the President. He said the first request was sent on October 2 and that the alliance submitted the names of its leaders on October 5 after receiving instructions from the Rashtrapati Bhavan office. According to Venugopal, the alliance requested an appointment for October 7, 8 or 9 but had not received a response when he spoke to reporters.
The INDIA bloc was expected to assemble in the Parliament complex and march towards Rashtrapati Bhavan. Venugopal said that, if an appointment was granted, selected MPs would meet the President; otherwise, the group would march to the Bhavan and protest there.
