Delhi Protests : CJP’s Dipke Questions Delhi Police Over Detention Of Neha Bora, Journalist Rosy

The Delhi Police has deployed around 5,000 personnel, including members of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and other paramilitary forces, across the Capital ahead of two protest marches from India Gate to Jantar Mantar on Sunday.

The marches are being organised to protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

A Citizens’ March, led by the All India Students’ Association (AISA), is scheduled to begin at 3 pm, followed by an Indian Youth Congress (IYC) march along the same route at 5 pm.

Citizens’ March At 3 PM

The Citizens’ March will also highlight concerns over women’s safety, AISA said on social media.

In a post on X on Saturday, the student organisation alleged that Delhi Police personnel had manhandled and assaulted female students and journalists during the previous day’s protest.

AISA questioned the alleged treatment of women protesters and journalists, saying the reported incidents were unrelated to the demand for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s removal.

Youth Congress March At 5 PM

The Indian Youth Congress has announced a second march from India Gate to Jantar Mantar at 5 pm, calling for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

In a post on X, the organisation urged supporters to join the protest, saying: “No cafes. No clubs. Bas mashaal, placards aur thode uncomfortable sawaal.”

Three Women Journalists Allege Sexual Harassment

The protests come amid allegations by three women journalists who accused senior Delhi Police officers of sexual harassment during Saturday’s demonstration against the Election Commission at Jantar Mantar.

Delhi Police said on Sunday that the complaints had been forwarded to the Crime Branch for a “fair and impartial enquiry.”

In a post on X, the police said the New Delhi district had received complaints alleging sexual harassment by police officers during the October 3 protest and had transferred them to the Crime Branch for investigation.

The journalists have alleged that police personnel deployed at the protest site touched them inappropriately while they were covering the demonstrations.

On Saturday evening, several independent journalists and social media influencers also protested outside Parliament Street Police Station, demanding registration of FIRs against the accused officers, including an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

Security Tightened Across Delhi

Delhi Police said permission had not been granted for either of the India Gate-Jantar Mantar marches. However, officials are expecting a significant turnout as protests enter their third consecutive day.

PCR vans and other police vehicles are being positioned on roads leading towards Jantar Mantar. CCTV footage will be monitored from the DCP (New Delhi) office, while drones may also be deployed if required to monitor crowds and assess the law-and-order situation.

Police personnel have been equipped with anti-riot gear, and the Ministry of Home Affairs has been briefed about the security arrangements, officials said.

Why Is CEC Gyanesh Kumar Facing Protests?

Gyanesh Kumar has come under criticism amid a controversy surrounding the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

An investigative report by The Indian Express claimed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months regarding decisions and procedures linked to the SIR exercise.

The Election Commission has rejected the allegations, maintaining that key decisions, including those concerning the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, were taken unanimously by the full commission.