CEC row LIVE: President Murmu to meet INDIA bloc leaders at 8 pm today
INDIA bloc leaders will meet President Droupadi Murmu at 8 pm today in connection with their demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
According to sources, the President's office confirmed the appointment on Friday morning.
A ten-member delegation, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and TMC Chairperson Mamata Banerjee, would be among the leaders expected to meet the President.
(This LIVE is compiled by Aaron Philip Keechireth)
Key Updates
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Delhi police releases statement ahead of CJP protest
The Delhi Police officially released a statement, saying, "Your voice is your right, but your protection is our right," urging protesters to maintain discipline in tomorrow's protest.
An Open Letter to Every Citizen ❤️Because beyond every uniform, every opinion and every disagreement, we’re all human first.@LtGovDelhi#WorldPostDay#DPUpdates https://t.co/3C3UGdm6pF
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) October 9, 2026 -
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25,000 personnel deployed in New Delhi ahead of CJP protest
An unprecedented security clampdown has been enforced in the Capital ahead of Saturday, after Delhi Police denied permission to the Cockroach Janta Party to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar, with the deployment of 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel, closure of 57 metro stations and intensive checks at city's border points, railway stations, bus terminals, hotels and other sensitive locations.
According to police, the elaborate security arrangements are aimed at preventing protesters from staging an unauthorised sit-in at Jantar Mantar and to maintain law and order across the city amid the possibility of large-scale mobilisation of people.- PTI
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'Vote chor' now carrying out vote dacoity in UP through SIR: Congress
The Congress on Friday accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of carrying out "vote chori" in Uttar Pradesh and claimed that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a "mischievous instrument" wielded by the CEC to perpetuate the rule of the "Diabolical Duo".Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh shared an opinion piece from The Hindu which claimed that the SIR was termed an exercise to "purify" the electoral rolls, but in practice, it is riddled with methodological flaws and ad hoc rule changes, resulting in the deletion of a large number of genuine voters.
Sharing the article on X, Ramesh said, "Here is a thorough analysis of how SIR is destroying the letter and spirit of Article 326 of the Constitution and deliberately disenfranchising crores of Indians." - PTI
Here is a thorough analysis of how SIR is destroying the letter and spirit of Article 326 of the Constitution and deliberately disenfranchising crores of Indians. SIR has been a mischievous instrument wielded by the CEC to perpetuate the rule of the Diabolical Duo. https://t.co/XhBdCnLRaR
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) October 9, 2026 -
Mumbai-Delhi trains cancelled, Rajdhanis rescheduled ahead of CJP protest
Several long-distance trains from Mumbai to New Delhi were cancelled or rescheduled by the Central and Western Railways on Friday, a decision coming on the eve of the Cockroach Janta Party's protest in the national capital.
Western Railway said it has rescheduled the Mumbai Central-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (12951) and the Mumbai Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin August Kranti Rajdhani Express (12953) by five hours and cancelled the Bandra Terminus-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (12247) and Mumbai Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin Duronto Express.
Apart from this, the WR has also cancelled Dr Ambedkar Nagar-New Delhi Express (20155), Indore-Hazrat Nizamuddin Express (09309), the Indore-New Delhi Express (12415) and Sabarmati-New Delhi Express (12957), it said.
The Central Railway cancelled the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express (22221) and the CSMT-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (22209). - PTI
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SFI, DYFI protest seeking CEC's resignation turns tense in Keralam
A protest march organised by the SFI and DYFI to Lok Bhavan here demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar turned tense on Friday, with police using water cannons multiple times to disperse demonstrators, officials said.
More than 200 activists from the two Left organisations marched towards Lok Bhavan, in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, the official residence of the Governor, protesting the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, police said.- PTI
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Former Bengaluru police chief seeks verification of Dhruv Rathee' citizenship
Former Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao has sought the Union Home Ministry's intervention to verify YouTuber Dhruv Rathee's citizenship, immigration status and compliance with visa conditions following his participation in an anti-SIR protest on October 8.
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Shut down entire country if govt scared of youth: Dipke on train cancellations
Abhijeet Dipke slammed the Union government, saying it should shut down the entire country if it is scared of the youth, a statement coming in the wake of cancellation of trains to and from the national capital on October 10. - PTI
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INDIA bloc leaders to meet President at 8 pm
MPs have been advised to reach Parliament by 5 pm and remain present in the Central Hall from 5 pm to 8 pm. The timings were changed after the President agreed to meet them. INDIA bloc leaders will meet President Droupadi Murmu at 8 pm today in connection with their demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. - PTI, Reporter TV
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SC rejects plea for probe into CJP’s NEET protest
The Supreme Court rejected a plea seeking an independent and fair probe into the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) July protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against the NEET paper leak. - PTI
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Delhi Police denies CJP permission for October 10 Jantar Mantar protest, cites maintenance of public safety
Delhi Police has denied permission for the proposed Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 over the accountability of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), citing short notice, past non-compliance with directions and concerns related to public safety, law and order and traffic regulation. - ANI
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Delhi Police proposes closure of entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations ahead of Oct 10 protest
Delhi Police has proposed closing entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations across the national capital and reducing train frequency at these stations in view of proposed protests scheduled for Saturday, according to an official communication.
In a letter dated Thursday, the Joint Commissioner of Police, Transport Range, requested the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to take necessary measures at the identified metro stations in view of proposed protests at Jantar Mantar and other locations in New Delhi district, citing the likelihood of unruly crowd movement towards sensitive locations. - ANI -
Delhi HC refuses to grant urgent hearing to IYC's plea for protest at Jantar Mantar
The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to grant an urgent hearing on a plea of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) seeking permission to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise. - PTI
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"Journalism has its role, journalism is not to be rolled": Delhi Police asks journalists to maintain distance while covering protests
Journalism has its role, journalism is not to be rolled 🎥#DPUpdates#DignityMatters#ResponsibleSpeech#RespectIsNonNegotiable https://t.co/smK9oK5igl
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) October 9, 2026 -
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Security tightened around EC headquarters as protests continue over alleged ‘vote chori’
VIDEO | Delhi: Security tightened around Election Commission headquarters amid continued protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.#CECGyaneshKumar #DelhiNews(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) https://t.co/RcLv4Rn8xN
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 9, 2026 -
'Lal Hit Janata Party' demonstrates in Delhi against swear words used for PM at protests
A day before the CJP is to mount a massive agitation at Jantar Mantar, around 200 people gathered in central Delhi on Friday to denounce alleged assault on police and abusive words used for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at protests.
The demonstrators gathered at Janpath at the call of the 'Lal Hit Janata Party', an outfit apparently named after a popular insect-control brand in a satirical counter to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). - PTI
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Delhi Police register around 25 FIRs over protests since October 2: Sources
Delhi Police have registered around 25 FIRs in connection with a series of protests in the national capital since October 2, with cases relating to alleged vandalism of public property, assault, scuffles involving police personnel and obstruction of government work, sources said.
The cases concern alleged violations of prohibitory orders imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in New Delhi district, according to the sources.- ANI -
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CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke alleges BJP govt detained thousands of youngsters across country ahead of October 10 protest
Thousands of youngsters have been detained across country by the BJP Govt ahead of our October 10 protest.This intimidation is not going to work, Modi. The youth of this country are no longer scared of you.I’ll be landing in Delhi tomorrow and will march to Jantar Mantar, come what may.
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 9, 2026 -
Delhi shuts retail liquor shops for two days ahead of Jantar Mantar protest
The Delhi government has ordered all retail liquor shops to remain closed on October 9 and 10 as a precautionary measure to maintain public order amid planned protests. Hotels, clubs, bars and restaurants with valid excise licences can continue serving liquor. - PTI
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Congress accuses Modi of inaction over US visa crackdown, links it to ‘GyaneshGate’
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to respond to US action against major IT firms over their foreign worker visa practices. He said India had options under existing laws, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. Ramesh linked the alleged inaction to the opposition’s campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR row. - PTI
STORY | PM under 'GyaneshGate' siege, will not retaliate to US visa crackdown: CongAttacking the government over the US government's actions affecting Indian IT professionals, the Congress on Friday said India has a number of options to retaliate but a "thoroughly compromised" Prime Minister Narendra Modi, now under "siege" on "GyaneshGate", will not do so.READ: https://t.co/jbbK30Vw1X(PTI File Photo)
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 9, 2026 -
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Congress leader and Punjab in-charge Sachin Pilot questions CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s refusal to meet Opposition MPs amid protest
Congress leader Sachin Pilot criticised the Election Commission after Opposition MPs were detained during protests in Delhi, questioning CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s refusal to meet them. He alleged that the government was contributing to the deadlock and said the Opposition had a right to seek answers over alleged electoral irregularities. - ANI
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Delhi Police warns against CJP protest on October 10, says gathering 'illegal'
Delhi Police has warned against the proposed Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest on October 10, stating that Section 163 is in force in the national capital and any gathering would be considered illegal.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shrishti Pandey said protests were not permitted at Jantar Mantar or any other location while the restrictions remained in force, warning that the police would take legal action against unauthorised gatherings.
“Section 163 is in effect, meaning protests are not permitted—neither at Jantar Mantar nor anywhere else. Any gathering will be considered illegal, and we would be compelled to take necessary legal action against it,” Pandey said.
The DCP urged people not to participate in the proposed protest, asking them to prioritise their safety and that of their families. - ANI -
CJP leader 'detained' by police in Rajasthan's Alwar, released after 100-km drive
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has alleged that Rajasthan Police forcibly detained its organisational co-in-charge Deepak Baliyan from his residence in Alwar district on Thursday night and manhandled him despite his fractured leg.
Party co-convener Ashutosh Ranka said the police took Baliyan from his house in Kathumar on October 8 and released him late in the night. - PTI
Update:@deepakbaliyan90 was released late night.Rajasthan Police took him for a ride for 100kms, but then had to drop him back at his house 😎.Some boundaries shouldn’t be crossed, and it’s good that @PoliceRajasthan realised that eventually. https://t.co/GRhmSxZiTd
— Ashutosh Ranka (@AshutoshRanka) October 9, 2026 -
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Aaditya Thackeray slams restrictions ahead of October 10 Jantar Mantar protest
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray criticised restrictions on protests in Delhi ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar on October 10. Delhi Police said prohibitory orders under Section 163 were in force and warned that unauthorised gatherings could invite legal action. Around 23,000 security personnel are expected to be deployed across the national capital amid heightened security arrangements. - ANI
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Chidambaram says 91-93% of disposed SIR appeals in Bengal allowed, calls it ‘damning evidence’
P Chidambaram said tribunals had allowed 91-93 per cent of the 1.26 lakh appeals disposed of against electoral roll deletions in West Bengal. He cited the figures as evidence against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, which saw nearly 27 lakh names removed from the state's electoral rolls. - ANI
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INDIA bloc MPs to meet at Samvidhan Sadan, consider next steps in ‘vote chori’ protest
INDIA bloc MPs will meet at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan at 3 pm today to discuss their next course of action against CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the SIR of electoral rolls. The opposition has sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu and said all protest options remain open if no meeting is granted. - PTI
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India's top court bars complete halt to Delhi Metro, railway services ahead of CJP protest
The Supreme Court said blanket transport restrictions ahead of the October 10 Jantar Mantar protest could affect commuters’ rights and called for a proportionate approach.
Bhaskar Rao, ex-Bengaluru police chief, seeks probe into Dhruv Rathee's immigration status
He sought an examination of whether Rathee's participation in and address at the protest were permissible under the applicable immigration and visa regulations.