Delhi witnessed massive security deployment on Saturday ahead of the planned anti-Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) protest at Jantar Mantar. The Delhi Police denied permission for the demonstration and detained several leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) immediately after they landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport. At the same time, protesters gathering near Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas were picked up and taken away in buses. Authorities also imposed traffic diversions, closed several Metro stations, restricted internet services in parts of the city, and stepped up security to prevent any unauthorized gathering.
Among those detained were CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, who was taken into custody from Gurugram before he could join the protest. Several opposition leaders, including former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, were also detained. Despite the crackdown, CJP leaders said the movement would continue and urged supporters across the country to carry forward the protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the rollback of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Delhi Police said the measures were aimed at maintaining law and order, as nearly 7,000 protesters were expected to arrive in the national capital. Preventive detentions, heavy barricading, and strict security arrangements were put in place across central Delhi. The developments have also sparked political reactions, while a contempt petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the continued transit restrictions imposed across Delhi. With security forces remaining on high alert, the situation in the capital continues to be closely monitored.
