Delhi Tightens Security for CJP’s Tiranga March as Supreme Court Declines Urgent Hearing on Central Park Closure
New Delhi has stepped up security ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Connaught Place, with thousands of police personnel and central security forces deployed across key locations. The development comes as the Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on a challenge to the closure of Central Park, the planned venue for the demonstration.
The march, called by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, was scheduled for Friday evening at Central Park in Connaught Place. The party said the demonstration was intended to show support for its leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were sent to judicial custody after an incident at Jantar Mantar.
The proposed gathering has triggered concerns over public order, traffic movement and the impact on shops and businesses in one of Delhi’s busiest commercial districts.
Supreme Court Declines Immediate Intervention
On October 16, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi declined to take up urgently a petition challenging the New Delhi Municipal Council’s decision to close Central Park.
The petition raised concerns about the late announcement of the closure and its potential impact on traders and small businesses operating in Connaught Place.
The court emphasised that the livelihoods of small shopkeepers also mattered and expressed hope that those involved would act with restraint. Justice Bagchi observed that the right to protest, the ability of people to earn a living and the need to maintain law and order were interconnected issues.
The bench indicated that the matter could be listed on October 26 or 27. It also observed that the court could consider intervention if subsequent developments showed that the measures taken were disproportionate or caused business losses warranting judicial consideration.
The court’s refusal to grant an urgent hearing did not amount to a final ruling on the legality of the park closure or the merits of the wider dispute.
Central Park Closed for Two Days
The New Delhi Municipal Council announced that Central Park in Connaught Place would remain closed on October 16 and 17, citing administrative reasons amid preparations for the proposed gathering.
The decision followed concerns raised by local traders and street vendors, who feared that a large demonstration could disrupt commercial activity and affect their earnings.
Connaught Place is a major shopping, dining and business destination in the national capital. Large gatherings in the area can also affect traffic movement, access to nearby markets and operations around Rajiv Chowk Metro station.
Delhi Police told the Delhi High Court that it would take appropriate steps to regulate the proposed activity and maintain public order. On October 15, the High Court declined to order a blanket prohibition on the march after hearing concerns about its possible impact.
Police have urged people to avoid unauthorised gatherings and indicated that a limited symbolic programme involving the national flag and national anthem could be facilitated at a suitable location.
More Than 6,000 Police Personnel Deployed
Security arrangements were strengthened across Connaught Place and surrounding areas ahead of the planned march.
According to reports by Reuters and India Today, more than 6,000 Delhi Police personnel were deployed in and around the affected areas, while 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces were also reported to be part of the security arrangements. An additional 5,000 personnel were kept on standby, according to India Today.
Security measures covered Central Park, Rajiv Chowk, nearby Metro stations, Palika Bazaar, Jantar Mantar and other sensitive locations. Barricades and additional surveillance arrangements were also reported.
The deployment was intended to manage crowd movement, prevent clashes and minimise disruption to public transport and businesses. The scale of the arrangements reflected the authorities’ concerns about the possibility of a large turnout.
The exact number of people who ultimately attended the proposed gathering, and whether the programme proceeded at the announced venue, required confirmation through subsequent official updates.
Why Is CJP Organising the March?
CJP called for the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ demonstration after two of its leaders, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were sent to judicial custody following an incident at Jantar Mantar on October 13.
The site had been de-notified as a designated protest location. The two leaders were accused of entering the area and violating restrictions, according to reports. CJP supporters described their detention as unjust and announced the march in solidarity with them.
The party has also demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The wider protest movement has raised allegations concerning electoral-roll revisions and voter-registration procedures.
Those allegations remain disputed. The Election Commission has maintained that eligible voters affected by revisions can follow the prescribed process to register or correct their details. Claims about the scale, intent or political effect of electoral changes should be distinguished from independently established findings.
The proposed demonstration therefore brings together several issues: the detention of CJP leaders, demands relating to the Election Commission, the use of public spaces for protests and the economic impact of demonstrations on nearby businesses.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus remains on maintaining public order, protecting residents and traders, and determining how the proposed demonstration can be handled within the applicable legal framework.
The Supreme Court is expected to consider the Central Park closure dispute at a later hearing, potentially on October 26 or 27. That hearing may address the legal concerns raised by the petitioner, depending on the court’s listing and subsequent directions.
For now, the authorities face the challenge of balancing the right to peaceful assembly with the need to protect public safety and prevent avoidable disruption in a busy commercial area.
CJP Leaders and Opposition Figures Among Those Detained Before Delhi Demonstration
Delhi Police detained hundreds of people as authorities stepped up security across the national capital ahead of a planned protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. Several CJP leaders and opposition figures were also reportedly taken into custody as they attempted to join the demonstration.
The protest was called to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Election Commission’s voter-list revision process has become a focus of political debate, with critics questioning its implementation.
According to a report by Press Trust of India published by ThePrint, police detained around 200 protesters attempting to reach Jantar Mantar. The report also cited police sources saying preventive detentions had been carried out across Delhi’s 15 districts.
The detentions took place amid extensive security measures intended to prevent the gathering from proceeding without permission.
CJP Leaders Detained at Delhi Airport
Among those detained were CJP founder and convener Abhijeet Dipke and party representatives Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. According to media reports, the three were taken into custody shortly after their flight landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The leaders were travelling to the capital ahead of the planned demonstration. The party criticised the action and said its members intended to participate in the protest against the electoral-roll revision process.
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was also detained from his residence in Gurugram ahead of the demonstration, according to reports citing police sources.
The detention of prominent activists and political figures drew attention to the authorities’ approach to the planned protest. However, the precise legal status of each detained person and the duration of their custody require confirmation from official updates.
Why Was the Protest Planned?
CJP and its supporters had called for a demonstration at Jantar Mantar to demand accountability over the SIR exercise and seek the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Special Intensive Revision process involves reviewing electoral rolls to check and update voter records. Critics have raised concerns about the possibility of eligible voters being removed from the lists, while the Election Commission’s stated role is to maintain accurate electoral records.
The dispute has prompted political criticism and protests. Allegations of deliberate or politically motivated voter deletions remain contested and should be assessed against official records, documented cases and responses from the Election Commission.
The protest was also part of a broader campaign by CJP and allied groups seeking greater scrutiny of the electoral process.
Delhi Police Impose Extensive Security Restrictions
Delhi Police had denied permission for the planned gathering, according to media reports, and prepared a large deployment to prevent protesters from reaching the designated location.
Security preparations included barricades, checkpoints and detention facilities. Authorities also introduced restrictions affecting movement around parts of central Delhi.
Reports indicated that the measures extended beyond Jantar Mantar, with police attempting to stop demonstrators from travelling to the capital or assembling at other locations. The scale of the deployment reflected officials’ concerns about managing a large gathering without formal permission.
Police sources said preventive action was intended to maintain law and order. CJP and other critics, meanwhile, questioned the restrictions and the detention of people seeking to participate in the protest.
Opposition Leaders Also Reportedly Detained
Several opposition figures were reported to have been detained in connection with the planned demonstration. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) said leaders including party general secretary M.A. Baby, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, John Brittas and other party representatives were among those detained or affected by police action.
The reported detentions added a political dimension to the dispute, as opposition figures questioned the restrictions imposed ahead of the protest.
The precise circumstances varied by individual, and the status of those detained may change as police release further information.
Debate Over Electoral Transparency and Protest Rights
The police action has intensified debate over the balance between public order and the right to peaceful assembly. Authorities can impose lawful restrictions on public gatherings, but the scope and implementation of those restrictions can also attract scrutiny when activists, journalists or elected representatives are detained.
For CJP, the immediate demand is for its detained members and supporters to be released and for concerns about electoral-roll revision to be addressed. The authorities’ stated position has focused on security arrangements and the absence of permission for the planned demonstration.
The central issue behind the protest remains the integrity of electoral rolls and the need for transparency in the revision process. Establishing whether particular voters were wrongly excluded requires evidence from electoral records and an opportunity for the relevant authorities to respond.
As the situation develops, updates on the detainees’ release, any legal proceedings and the Election Commission’s response to the allegations will be important.
Delhi Internet Shutdown Tonight: Mobile Data to Be Suspended Near Jantar Mantar for 24 Hours
Mobile internet services are set to be suspended in parts of central Delhi from 10 pm on Friday, October 9, until 10 pm on Saturday, October 10, as authorities prepare for a planned protest at Jantar Mantar.
According to reports citing a Delhi Police notification, the restriction will cover an area within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing. The measure comes ahead of a demonstration called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The restriction is intended to help authorities maintain public order and prevent potential disruption during the planned gathering. Residents, commuters and visitors in the affected area may face difficulties accessing mobile internet services during the 24-hour period.
Why Is Mobile Internet Being Suspended?
The shutdown comes amid heightened security preparations for the October 10 protest. Organisers have called for demonstrations over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a voter-verification exercise that has become a major political issue.
The CJP has demanded accountability from the Election Commission and called for Kumar to step down. Opposition groups and activists have also raised concerns about voter-list deletions and the possible exclusion of eligible voters.
The Election Commission's voter-verification process and the claims surrounding it remain politically contested. Allegations of wrongdoing should not be treated as established facts without supporting evidence.
Delhi Police Denies Permission for Protest
Delhi Police has denied permission for the proposed CJP demonstration at Jantar Mantar. Police officials have cited the short notice given for the event, previous alleged non-compliance with directions and concerns involving public safety, traffic management and law and order.
Authorities have also imposed prohibitory restrictions in the New Delhi area under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Police have warned that legal action may be taken against people who violate the applicable orders.
Despite the restrictions, the planned protest has prompted extensive security preparations across the capital.
Delhi Metro Commuters May Also Be Affected
The internet suspension is part of a broader set of precautionary measures announced ahead of the demonstration.
Reports published on Friday said Delhi Police had asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to close entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations from 9 pm on October 9. The proposed restrictions are intended to prevent large groups from gathering at sensitive locations and moving towards protest sites.
Commuters should check official DMRC announcements before travelling, as station access and other arrangements may change depending on the security situation.
The metro measures are separate from the mobile internet restriction. Travellers should verify which stations are affected rather than assume that the entire metro network will be closed.
What Should Mobile Internet Users Know?
People living, working or travelling within the notified area should prepare for a possible interruption to mobile internet access.
They may wish to download essential documents, save important contact details and arrange alternative ways to communicate before the restriction begins. The exact impact on individual services depends on the terms of the official order and the networks affected.
The reported restriction is scheduled to remain in effect for 24 hours, ending at 10 pm on October 10. People should follow official updates from the authorities for any changes to the timing or geographical coverage.
What Happens Next?
Security arrangements are expected to remain tight around central Delhi as authorities prepare for Saturday's proposed demonstration. The situation may affect travel, communications and access to public areas.
The key details for residents and commuters are the stated start time of 10 pm on October 9, the reported four-kilometre restriction zone around the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing, and the scheduled end time of 10 pm on October 10.