Delhi SIR Protest: High Court Seeks Police Response, Related Pleas Listed For October 13
In Short
The Delhi High Court has asked police to respond by Tuesday to the Indian Youth Congress’s plea seeking permission to protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar, amid heightened security over the INDIA bloc’s planned march.
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Delhi SIR Protest: High Court Seeks Police Response, Related Pleas Listed For October 13
The Delhi High Court has extended the time for the Delhi Police to respond to the request of the Indian Youth Congress for permission to hold a protest against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar till Tuesday.
The development is coming on the heels of ongoing protests against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the Opposition's demand for Kumar's resignation. The court has also accepted a separate petition against the curbs on peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar which is scheduled for October 13.
Delhi High Court To Hear Protest-Related Petitions Tomorrow
The closure of Jantar Mantar as a protest venue was challenged before the Delhi High Court, with the petitioner’s counsel arguing that no alternative location had been designated for demonstrations.
The bench, headed by the Acting Chief Justice, agreed to list the matter for hearing on Tuesday, October 13.
A separate petition concerning the protests and detentions in Delhi on October 10 and 11 was also mentioned before the court. The bench declined an urgent hearing, noting that the Supreme Court was already examining the matter and had sought affidavits from the Union government. The petition was listed for the following day.
Another plea was mentioned before the Supreme Court seeking action against people accused of attacking protesters and lawyers during the ongoing demonstrations. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan urged the court to intervene, alleging that individuals accused of violence were not facing adequate action. The matter is also scheduled to be listed on October 13.
INDIA Bloc Plans March To Supreme Court
The Congress-led INDIA bloc is preparing to march to the Supreme Court on Monday to raise concerns over alleged electoral irregularities and demand the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has appealed to citizens, opposition parties and civil society groups to participate in the demonstration, which the party has named “Chalo Delhi – March for Democracy.”
The Congress announced that participants would assemble at the Connaught Place–Barakhamba Road junction at 1:30 pm. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the INDIA bloc would march towards the Supreme Court at 4 pm.
The Opposition is demanding a halt to the SIR exercise and a return to paper ballots, alleging that the electoral process has been compromised. The Election Commission’s actions and the use of police force during recent demonstrations have become central issues in the political confrontation.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant had declined a request from Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for a meeting to discuss their concerns. Sources said the CJI cited the fact that related matters were already pending before the court and concerns over the separation of powers.
CJP Seeks Fresh Date For Jantar Mantar Demonstration
Meanwhile, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-conveners Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das visited the Parliament Street police station on Monday to seek a fresh date for a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
Ranka had given Delhi Police 24 hours to provide a date, warning that the party would announce its next course of action if authorities failed to respond within the deadline.
Police had denied permission for the CJP’s proposed October 10 protest, citing short notice, alleged violations during previous demonstrations and concerns over public safety and law and order.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and other party leaders were detained after arriving in Delhi on October 10 and were released the following day after being produced before an executive magistrate.
Security Tightened, Metro Restrictions In Place
Delhi remained under heightened security ahead of the INDIA bloc’s march, with barricades and security personnel deployed at several locations in central Delhi.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced that entry and exit at six stations — Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road — would remain closed from 6 am to 4 pm on October 12. Interchange facilities at the affected stations were to remain available.
The Delhi Police also issued a traffic advisory alerting the people that the movement may be affected on various roads with diversions to be made as per the situation.
The protests come after a security operation conducted on October 10 when protesters who tried to reach Jantar Mantar were picked up. The police had over 20 cases registered relating to the demonstrations, and the number of people detained has been reported in various ways.
The next developments are likely to focus on whether the protest movement can be allowed to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar, whether the restrictions on protestors and the opposition to the SIR exercise are lawful and whether the Delhi High Court will allow the protest movement to proceed with the petitions filed against the government.
