New Delhi, Oct. 13 -- Delhi Police have registered four FIRs in connection with the INDIA bloc's protest march towards the Supreme Court on Monday, while two leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) were detained on Tuesday after entering Jantar Mantar, intensifying the confrontation between protesters and authorities over restrictions on public demonstrations in the national capital.
The developments came as the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court were scheduled to hear petitions relating to the protests, police restrictions and the decision to remove Jantar Mantar from the list of designated demonstration venues.
CJP co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained after entering Jantar Mantar, a day after Delhi Police announced that the location would no longer function as a designated protest site.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke shared a video of the two activists entering the area and declared that public resistance could not be eliminated through administrative restrictions.
The protests, which began over allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, have expanded into a wider confrontation over the Election Commission's functioning, police detentions and the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
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The FIRs followed Monday's INDIA bloc demonstration, during which Opposition leaders led by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi attempted to march towards the Supreme Court to raise concerns about electoral roll revisions and alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission.
The march was stopped by police on Bhagwan Das Road, around 600 metres from the Supreme Court. However, Gandhi and other Opposition leaders subsequently reached the court, where their legal team completed the formalities for filing a petition challenging the Election Commission's decisions.
Gandhi is the lead petitioner, alongside Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and representatives of several other INDIA bloc parties.
The petition seeks judicial scrutiny of electoral roll deletions during the SIR exercise, examination of relevant Election Commission records and an independent investigation into the disputed decisions.
The allegations of electoral manipulation remain contested and have not been established by a judicial finding.
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The latest detentions came amid a dispute over Delhi Police's decision to denotify Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue.
The authorities have identified alternative locations, including Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi, for public demonstrations.
CJP leaders have opposed the decision, arguing that moving demonstrations away from central Delhi would reduce their visibility and weaken the ability of protesters to communicate their demands to institutions of power.
On Monday, Das and Ranka approached the Parliament Street Police Station seeking permission and a date for another demonstration at Jantar Mantar. They gave the police 24 hours to respond, warning that the organisation would announce its next course of action if no date was provided.
On Tuesday, the two activists entered the restricted protest location before being detained.
Dipke said the removal of Jantar Mantar's designated status would not prevent demonstrations from emerging elsewhere in the country.
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The Supreme Court was scheduled to consider two separate pleas concerning the disruption of court proceedings and allegations of mistreatment of lawyers and demonstrators during the October 10 and 11 protests.
One plea was filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association, while another was mentioned by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan. The matters raised concerns about restrictions on lawyers' movement and alleged assaults during the police action.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant had earlier emphasised that access to courts and the functioning of judicial institutions must not be obstructed.
The Delhi High Court was also expected to consider protest-related grievances, including challenges connected with restrictions on demonstrations in the capital.
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Delhi Police have sought an extension of the deployment of 273 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) until October 20, citing the possibility of further demonstrations by CJP and other organisations.
According to officials familiar with the arrangements, approximately 11,000 paramilitary personnel, drawn from 110 companies, have been directed to remain in the capital until further orders.
The forces had originally been scheduled to leave Delhi on October 12 after being deployed to reinforce security arrangements during the protests.
Barricades and security personnel remained in parts of central Delhi on Tuesday, while traffic police warned that temporary diversions could be imposed depending on the situation.
However, Delhi Metro services were operating normally, with entry and exit facilities restored at all stations.
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The continuing security restrictions have also drawn criticism from traders and residents in central Delhi.
Khan Market Traders Association president Sanjeev Mehra claimed that business had declined sharply because police barricades and traffic restrictions were preventing customers from reaching commercial establishments.
He appealed for judicial intervention to relocate demonstrations away from the area, citing the impact on traders during the festive season.
New Delhi Municipal Council chairman Kuljeet Chahal also criticised the Opposition and CJP, accusing them of disrupting civic life through repeated demonstrations.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajendra Prasad Meena said procedures for granting permission to hold protests at the newly designated CBD Ground were being formulated. He noted that the area was congested and that necessary permissions and clearances would be required.
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Rahul Gandhi was expected to host INDIA bloc parliamentarians, civil society representatives and student activists for a gathering at his residence on Tuesday, according to reports citing sources.
Opposition leaders were also expected to address a joint press conference on the controversy surrounding the Election Commission and the SIR exercise.
The Election Commission has maintained that its three-member panel took decisions unanimously, rejecting suggestions of internal disagreement over the revision exercise.
With judicial proceedings pending, additional security forces remaining in Delhi and CJP signalling further demonstrations, the confrontation over electoral roll revisions and the regulation of public protests showed no immediate signs of resolution.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.