Delhi has been fortified ahead of Saturday’s proposed protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police have denied permission for the demonstration; entry and exit gates at 57 Metro stations are set to close, and 45 train services to and from two major railway stations have been cancelled. Authorities have also imposed restrictions around Jantar Mantar, while a traders’ body has advised establishments in Connaught Place to remain vigilant and shut down as a precautionary measure.
The protest has been called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and the All India Students’ Association (AISA), amid demands for accountability over alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls. Delhi Police said permission had not been granted for the October 10 demonstration, citing the short notice, alleged violations of conditions during an earlier protest, and concerns over law and order and traffic management. Police warned that legal action would be taken against those violating prohibitory orders.
Police deployment
The Centre has made around 23,000 personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces available to Delhi Police for deployment between October 8 and 12. The deployment includes five all-women paramilitary companies, with personnel being brought in from several States. Delhi Police have also stepped up security in central Delhi, deploying additional personnel around Jantar Mantar and adjoining areas.
Delhi Police have also announced prohibitory orders over loudspeakers in areas around Jantar Mantar as part of the security arrangements. The measures come amid heightened preparations to prevent large gatherings and maintain public order in the national capital.
Delhi Police have also registered 27 FIRs over seven days in connection with protests against the Chief Election Commissioner.
SC backs right to association, peaceful protest; seeks permission details of Oct 10 protests
Transport Curbs
As part of the security arrangements, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced that entry and exit gates at 57 Metro stations will remain closed from 9 p.m. on Friday until further notice. Interchange facilities will remain available at the affected stations, except at New Delhi Metro station, the DMRC said. The restrictions are intended to prevent large crowds from moving towards sensitive locations.
Taking cues from the failure to prevent crowds from gathering at Jantar Mantar, railway services have also been curtailed. A total of 45 trains, out of 165 scheduled arrivals, to and from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations have been cancelled between 4 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, according to information on the restrictions. The cancellations have been attributed to anticipated severe road traffic congestion. Services at other terminals, including Old Delhi and Anand Vihar railway stations, are expected to remain unaffected.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has also sought passenger manifests for select flights scheduled to arrive in Delhi on October 10, according to sources, indicating heightened monitoring of travel to the national capital ahead of the proposed demonstration.
Restrictions have also been extended to the Namo Bharat corridor. Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar stations in Delhi will remain closed from 9 p.m. on Friday until 10 p.m. on Saturday, according to a service advisory. Train services between Anand Vihar in Delhi and Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh will continue to operate as scheduled during this period.
Several schools and colleges in Delhi have shifted classes online, rescheduled parent-teacher meetings and postponed examinations scheduled for October 10.
Security has been tightened at the city’s entry points, with additional checks to monitor the movement of vehicles and people entering Delhi. Police have also stepped up outreach to local communities, urging residents to maintain peace and avoid unnecessary movement around sensitive areas.
The New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) has advised shop owners and establishments in Connaught Place, including offices and restaurants, to remain vigilant and shut down on October 10 as a precautionary measure. In a communication, its president, Atul Bhargava, cited advice from the authorities and the situation around Connaught Place, urging establishments to comply with the advisory to avoid possible damage to property or injuries during the anticipated protests.
The Delhi government has separately ordered liquor vends to remain closed on October 9 and 10, following police inputs amid concerns over the proposed demonstration. The closure is among the preventive measures being taken ahead of the protest.
Meanwhile, activists and prospective participants have raised concerns over alleged detentions and restrictions on their movement ahead of the demonstration. Claims that student activists and CJP supporters have been detained or placed under house arrest, including while travelling to Delhi, could not be independently verified.
Farmer organisations have also issued appeals concerning the proposed demonstration. Bharatiya Kisan Union president Rakesh Tikait said in a video message that those wishing to participate in the October 10 demonstration could travel to Delhi. Others should organise sit-in protests at their respective district headquarters and submit memoranda addressed to the President, he said.
Internet Curbs
Mobile internet services will be suspended within a 4-km radius of the Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing from 10 p.m. on October 9 to 10 p.m. on October 10, 2026, under an order authorised by the Union Home Secretary.
Delhi Police also asked social media platform X to remove or restrict access to certain posts and videos related to a protest, alleging that they selectively portrayed police action while omitting the events that preceded it.
Published on October 9, 2026
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