CEC row LIVE: AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi among 700 detained at Jantar Mantar
Kochi: Delhi Police detained more than 700 protesters, including AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj and MLA Sanjeev Jha on Friday during a protest at Jantar Mantar, where the party demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and a freeze on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The protest began despite police denying permission for the gathering. Organisers have raised concerns over the SIR and alleged mass deletion of voters.
Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has announced a nationwide agitation against the CEC and the SIR. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the party would proceed with a ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ in Mumbai after police denied permission for its proposed demonstration at Shivaji Park.
In Delhi, police had also denied permission for a separate Jantar Mantar protest called by the All India Students’ Association (AISA), Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan. Additional security personnel were deployed in and around New Delhi, with officials expecting around 3,000 to 4,000 people to attend.
Key Updates
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AISA’s Neha Bora calls Jantar Mantar protest ‘2.0’
AISA’s Neha Bora, in a video posted after being released from a police bus, described the ongoing demonstration as "Jantar Mantar 2.0”. She also called for the continuation of the protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The people are united. Detained protestors are repeatedly being released by the people on the streets!
— Neha (@neha_aisa) October 2, 2026
Jantar Mantar 2.0 is on!
Gyanesh will soon be gone! pic.twitter.com/wJP9vGFC8b -
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'Gyanesh Kumar is a traitor': CJP activists protest against CEC in Mumbai
Activists of the CJP and other civil society organisations are staging a protest at Mumbai's Shivaji Park against the Election Commission and the alleged irregularities of the SIR process.
Heavy police deployment was seen at Shivaji Park in view of the protest call. CJP spokesperson, Saurav Das alleged that CEC Gyanesh Kumar was a traitor and the whole country would support the calls for his ouster.
"As you can see, we are starting from Mumbai today. This is going to be a very big protest. Mumbai showed last time what the spirit of Mumbai is. The youth of the whole country, the young generation, everyone came out last time for the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. And this time too, it is going to be the same with Gyanesh Kumar, who is a traitor to the country. The youth of Mumbai are hitting the streets again. Today, a massive protest is going to happen at Shivaji Park. And I want, I appeal to all the Mumbaikars and our friends. Everyone come," he said. -
Over 700 detained during Jantar Mantar protest against CEC
Delhi Police detained more than 700 protesters, including AAP leaders and student activists, during the protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision. The Delhi Metro has also closed entry and exit at 12 stations, while internet services have been suspended around Jantar Mantar.
Police detain a protester during a protest at Jantar Mantar. Photo: ANI -
AAP’s Sanjay Singh stages sit-in after police stop him from proceeding to Parliament
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh staged a sit-in on the road after being stopped from proceeding to Parliament amid the ongoing protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Speaking to ANI, Singh said he was stopped despite being a Member of Parliament and said he wanted to raise the issue of alleged "vote theft" in Parliament."I am a Member of Parliament. As a member, I had to raise the issue of 'vote theft', but I am not being allowed to go there," Singh said.
"How can you stop me from going to Parliament? You can see the dictatorship of the police," he added.- ANI -
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Delhi Metro shuts 12 stations amid Jantar Mantar protest call
The Delhi Metro closed entry and exit at 12 stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat and Patel Chowk, after the AAP and student unions announced protests.- PTI
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AAP leader Atishi detained during protest
AAP leader Atishi was detained by Delhi Police during a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Police detained several protesters during the demonstration.
Atishi detained at Jantar Mantar as AAP protests against ECI pic.twitter.com/BfHh2bxWQK
— Reporter World (@Reporterworld_) October 2, 2026 -
M A Baby, A A Rahim detained
CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby and Rajya Sabha MP A A Rahim were detained along with other leaders by Delhi Police during the protest against CEC in Jantar Mantar.
MA Baby alleged that Kumar had violated rules governing the functioning of the Election Commission and demanded his removal. "Gyanesh Kumar should be arrested for the criminal activity of cutting people's votes," Baby said.
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“We will raise our voice”: AAP’s Sanjay Singh
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh alleged that police personnel had been deployed outside his residence amid the protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar.
Calling the situation "peak dictatorship", Singh alleged that police had reached the residences of several opposition leaders and questioned the restrictions on the right to protest.- ANI -
Ashutosh Ranka criticises Delhi Police over handling of Jantar Mantar protest
All the crime has ended in Delhi, hence the Delhi police is now free to charge against peaceful protestors. pic.twitter.com/fqNToWARd9
— Ashutosh Ranka (@AshutoshRanka) October 2, 2026 -
“This is Gandhi’s country": RJD MP Manoj Jha joins Jantar Mantar protest
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha backed the opposition parties’ protest at Jantar Mantar over the role of the Election Commission in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), saying such a democratic protest was taking place on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary.
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AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj detained at Jantar Mantar
Delhi Police detained Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj after he reached Jantar Mantar and joined the protest.
As the Police team detained him, Bharadwaj alleged that male policemen mishandled women protestors who had come to Jantar Mantar.#JantarMantar protest: AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj detained pic.twitter.com/h9eevJIzJ7
— Reporter World (@Reporterworld_) October 2, 2026 -
AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj joins Jantar Mantar protest against EC
Aam Aadmi Party Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj reached Jantar Mantar and urged people to join the protest, calling for the demonstration to be conducted in a peaceful and constitutional manner.
Speaking to the reporters, he said that "I want to tell all our young friends, boys, girls, and elders, that I have arrived alone, without any car, without any horse, and without any companion. I paid Rs 11 for the metro and Rs 80 to the auto driver. When I can reach Jantar Mantar for just Rs 91, all our friends can reach there too."- ANI
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Activists call for people to "come as citizens, not party representatives" at Jantar Mantar
The Left student organisations and members of civil society have renewed their call for the Jantar Mantar protest against the Election Commission. Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan who is among those who had supported the protests, called on people to join at Jantar Mantar as citizens and not as representatives of political parties or organisations, amid heightened security in central Delhi.
Today’s protest at Jantar Mantar and elsewhere in the country is a citizens protest against the hijacking of our democracy by Gyanesh Kumar and his handlers. Though many organizations and parties have endorsed the call, it is not a partisan protest. People should come as citizens…
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) October 2, 2026 -
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Traffic restrictions: Closures, diversions around Jantar Mantar
Delhi Traffic Police advised commuters to plan their journeys and avoid affected stretches wherever possible, as traffic restrictions and regulated movement will be in place near Jantar Mantar and adjoining areas.
According to the traffic advisory, traffic from Connaught Place towards Patel Chowk will be diverted through alternate routes. At the same time, movement from Patel Chowk towards GPO will be regulated or diverted at appropriate points.
Traffic on Tolstoy Marg will also be regulated or diverted, and commuters have been advised to avoid the stretch wherever possible, the advisory said.
Movement on Jantar Mantar Road will be restricted or diverted, and motorists have been asked to use alternate routes.
Traffic Advisory 🚦
— Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) October 1, 2026
In connection with traffic restrictions and regulated movement around Jantar Mantar and adjoining areas on 02 October 2026, commuters are advised to avoid the affected stretches wherever feasible and plan their journeys in advance.
Traffic… pic.twitter.com/3oGsoRHBP0 -
Delhi Metro shuts 11 stations amid Jantar Mantar protest call
The Delhi Metro closed entry and exit at 11 stations on Friday, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat and Jantar Mantar, after the AAP and student unions announced protests.
Service Update
— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) October 2, 2026
The entry and exit at the following metro stations will remain closed till further notice. However, interchange facility will remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, INA, New Delhi and Central Secretariat stations:
1. Janpath
2. Patel Chowk
3. Central… -
Prohibitory orders in force in New Delhi ahead of proposed Jantar Mantar protest
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been imposed in the New Delhi district ahead of a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar.
The order prohibits, without prior written permission, public meetings or assemblies of five or more people, processions, demonstrations, picketing and dharnas. The order also prohibits shouting slogans, making speeches, and carrying firearms, banners, placards, lathis, swords, sticks, brickbats, or similar articles.
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Delhi Police denies permission for Oct 2 protest against CEC at Jantar Mantar
Delhi Police has denied permission for a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar against CEC Gyanesh Kuma and deployed additional security personnel in and around New Delhi on Thursday, officials said.
The protest, called by the All India Students' Association (AISA), Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan, is scheduled to begin at 11 am on Friday.- PTI
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CJP founder Dipke detained briefly after being spotted with placards at Marine Drive: Police
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke was detained at Marine Drive police station for a brief while on Thursday after he was spotted with placards along the iconic promenade.
Dipke had gathered at Marine Drive along with a group of supporters holding placards, an official said. After being asked to meet senior officials, Dipke exited the police station minutes later smiling. - PTI
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Delhi Police detains 700 protesters during Jantar Mantar rally against CEC
AAP leaders and student activists were among those detained during the protest demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Karnataka BJP leader booked over alleged attempt to delete 198 Muslim voters’ names
FIRs have been registered in Belagavi, Bidar and Mysuru over alleged misuse of Form-7 applications during Karnataka’s ongoing SIR.