YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) legal head Ratna Singh, and several other protesters were reportedly detained on Saturday, October 10, ahead of the party’s proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The party has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of electoral irregularities and concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Delhi police detained Dhruv Rathee from his residence in Sector 56, Gurugram, while Ratna Singh was reportedly detained from her residence in Delhi. Reports also said around 150 protesters had been detained by morning. Several content creators were among those detained in Dhaula Kuan, according to live updates.
Mehr Pasricha, head of CJP policy division, was also reportedly detained ahead of the protest.
The detentions came amid heightened security across Delhi, with police and paramilitary personnel deployed at key locations, border checkpoints, railway stations and other sensitive areas. The police have denied permission for the proposed demonstration, citing inadequate notice, non-compliance with prescribed guidelines and concerns over public safety and law and order.
Around 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across the city, while other reports put the expected deployment at more than 35,000 personnel. Security arrangements included barricades, drone surveillance, vehicle checks and personnel equipped with body cameras.
Police also intensified checks at the Delhi borders with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to prevent unauthorised groups from entering New Delhi. Security was tightened at the Chilla, Ghazipur, Badarpur, Aya Nagar and Sarhaul border areas, among other locations.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Anant Mittal told IANS, “Our effort is to ensure that everything remains peaceful and law and order is maintained.”
Traffic and airport restrictions
The Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory warning of possible traffic diversions at 30 locations from 6 am on Saturday, depending on the prevailing law-and-order situation. The affected stretches include areas around Jantar Mantar, Mandi House, Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, Rail Bhawan, Janpath, and Parliament Street.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) DK Gupta said, “If any protests take place, we will formulate diversion plans accordingly. We urge the public to keep checking our website and social media for updates.”
Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys in advance and allow extra time if travelling to railway stations, inter-state bus terminals or the airport through New Delhi and Central Delhi. The police have urged people to avoid non-essential travel.
Security has also been tightened at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, with additional personnel deployed at the airport premises. The available reports warn of possible travel disruptions but do not establish that all airport arrivals have been blocked.
Traffic congestion was reported at key entry points between Delhi, Noida and Gurugram. The Sarita Vihar–Kalindi Kunj stretch and the Sarhaul border reportedly witnessed long queues, with barricades and security screenings slowing vehicle movement.
Metro and rail restrictions
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) imposed entry and exit restrictions at several stations from 9 pm on Friday, October 9, until 6 pm on Saturday, October 10. The affected stations include Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, New Delhi, Patel Chowk, Mandi House, Janpath, Supreme Court and ITO, among others.
While several reports listed 45 affected stations, an All India Radio report cited restrictions at 57 stations. DMRC said interchange facilities would remain available at affected stations, except New Delhi Metro station, where restrictions would apply.
Railway services were also affected, with several trains scheduled to arrive at or depart from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm reportedly cancelled. Police said passengers with valid tickets would not be prevented from travelling, though action would be taken against those violating law-and-order restrictions.
At New Delhi Railway Station, police and Rapid Action Force personnel were deployed, with drones being used for surveillance. Security was also strengthened at Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station.
Restrictions and internet suspension
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were imposed in Delhi and Gautam Buddh Nagar ahead of the protest. In Gautam Buddh Nagar, the restrictions are scheduled to remain in force until October 20 and prohibit gatherings of five or more people without prior permission, processions, provocative speeches and the dissemination of misleading information.
Internet services were suspended for 24 hours from 10 pm on Friday within a radius of four kilometres from the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing. Delhi Police identified an area of approximately 1.5 kilometres around Jantar Mantar, Janpath, the Election Commission’s office and Delhi Police headquarters as highly sensitive.
The CJP has called for a youth-led demonstration at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged vote theft and concerns related to the SIR of electoral rolls. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has said he would proceed with the march despite the denial of permission.
The CJP protest has been called to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of “vote theft” and concerns surrounding the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has described the demonstration as a youth-led protest against alleged electoral irregularities and the actions of the Election Commission. The party has maintained that it would proceed with the march to Jantar Mantar despite Delhi Police denying permission for the gathering.
Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.