Delhi Police Detain CJP Leaders at Jantar Mantar as Protest Site Changes

Delhi Police detained Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka of the Citizens for Justice and Peace group on October 13 after the two entered the barricaded area at Jantar Mantar. The group has been protesting for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Jantar Mantar was removed from the list of designated protest sites following recommendations from a committee formed by the Union Home Ministry. Delhi Police named Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in East Delhi as alternative venues. The change has drawn criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups who say it restricts public assembly.

The detentions occurred amid ongoing demonstrations by the INDIA bloc and student groups. Rahul Gandhi has invited opposition MPs and student leaders for discussions on next steps in the protests. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear related petitions on October 15. The registry earlier flagged more than a dozen defects in a petition filed by Gandhi and others concerning the election process.

Kerala Assembly passed a resolution seeking Kumar's removal. Protests have also taken place in Patna and other cities. Delhi Police have deployed Central Armed Police Forces and restricted access around key sites. Traders near protest areas have reported losses from barricades and restrictions.

The Special Intensive Revision process has become a flashpoint ahead of elections. Opposition parties allege irregularities in the voter list updates. The Election Commission has defended the exercise as routine. The detentions at Jantar Mantar mark a continuation of police action against organizers who attempted to hold gatherings at the traditional site despite the redesignation.

Abhijeet Dipke of the group has said protests will continue nationwide until the commissioner resigns. The Supreme Court has previously ruled on the use of Jantar Mantar for demonstrations, rejecting a complete ban in a 2018 judgment. The current restrictions and the shift to other venues will shape how opposition campaigns conduct public events in the capital in the coming weeks.