Over 2,500 detained as anti-CEC protesters seek to march to Jantar Mantar

Despite heavy security arrangements, severe transport restrictions and an Internet shutdown, protesters on Saturday (October 10, 2026) managed to reach locations near Jantar Mantar in central Delhi to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities. With Jantar Mantar inaccessible, protesters led by All India Students Association (AISA) president Neha attempted to assemble at Dilli Haat in south Delhi before being detained.

According to Delhi Police sources, nearly 2,500 protesters were detained across the capital during the day, indicating a high turnout despite the absence of prominent Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders on the ground. All detainees were released by late evening, the sources said. Few journalists were also detained. These detentions were in addition to around 1,000 people picked up in preventive operations across Delhi overnight ahead of the protest. Several lawyers who were also detained were released following an intervention by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.

Connaught Place, near Jantar Mantar, one of Delhi’s busiest commercial hubs, wore a deserted look amid an “unprecedented” security deployment in recent times, with multiple layers of barricading and police personnel severely restricting public movement.

All roads leading to Jantar Mantar were barricaded, with loudspeakers warning people of legal action if they defied police instructions.

The day began with the detention of CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das immediately after their Air India flight from Mumbai landed at Delhi airport. The three had publicly announced their visit on social media, urging supporters to assemble at Jantar Mantar at 10 a.m. on Saturday (October 10, 2026) for what they described as the “Final Call to Save Democracy.”