Delhi Police has warned that public gatherings linked to ongoing protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will be treated as illegal while Section 163 remains in force across the national capital, with officials saying violations could lead to legal action.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Shrishti Pandey said on Thursday that protests were not permitted at Jantar Mantar or elsewhere in Delhi. Her warning came amid continuing opposition demonstrations over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and ahead of a proposed Cockroach Janta Party protest on October 10.
“Section 163 is in effect, meaning protests are not permitted—neither at Jantar Mantar nor anywhere else. Any gathering will be considered illegal, and we would be compelled to take necessary legal action against it,” Pandey said, according to the Times of India report.
The police statement followed demonstrations in which officers alleged that personnel attempting to maintain order had been abused or physically attacked. Delhi Police constable Ankit Kasana alleged that protesters blocked vehicles, pushed him, tore his uniform, scratched him and bit him while police were trying to move a vehicle during the detention of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Kasana was taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital for a medical examination.
Delhi Police said it had registered three FIRs in connection with Wednesday’s opposition protest, with additional cases being registered. The cases relate to allegations including assault on police personnel, obstruction of government work, pushing, manhandling and misbehaviour with officers.
Pandey said that attacking police personnel performing their duties was unacceptable and appealed to protesters to consider the legal consequences of their actions. She also warned the public against circulating AI-generated images and videos relating to the protests, saying that people away from Delhi could create misleading material and influence public opinion.
The police officer urged residents to verify information before sharing it on social media and said Delhi Police would publish public updates through its official social media accounts. The warning places greater emphasis on the role of official digital communication as competing claims about protest activity circulate online.
The restrictions come as opposition parties continue to mobilise against the Chief Election Commissioner. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced that INDIA bloc MPs would hold a peaceful sit-in at Gandhi Smarak in Delhi, which would be the third consecutive day of opposition protests after demonstrations near Nirvachan Sadan on Tuesday and Jantar Mantar on Wednesday.
Security arrangements around the Chief Election Commissioner have also been strengthened. Officials said the Central Industrial Security Force had deployed additional reserve personnel to reinforce Kumar’s Z-plus security cover.
The developments leave Delhi’s designated protest spaces, including Jantar Mantar, under a wider restriction at a time when opposition parties have announced further mobilisation. Police action and the announced sit-in will determine how the order is enforced during the next scheduled protest.
