At Jantar Mantar: Day 2, 11th October
10:00 a.m.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) called for a fresh protest on 10th October, continuing the movement demanding Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Over 3,000 people were detained in the first day of the protest.
Traffic restrictions continue to be placed by Delhi Poliec on 11th October, with diversions at around 30 key points in Delhi starting from 06:00 a.m. Certain intersections monitored include Jantar Mantar, Connaught Place, Mandi House, and Patel Chowk. Delhi Metro stations remain currently open and monitored by heavy personnel at entry and exit gates. Orange detention buses are parked outside the gates.
CJP Leaders and Rathee Released
CJP Leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, detained on 10th October, will be produced before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station at 9 a.m. today, as informed by their legal head Ratna Singh.
At 08:30 a.m., however, news was received that Dipke, Ranka, and Das were placed under preventative arrest by Delhi Police.
At 08:53 a.m., news of YouTuber Dhruv Rathee’s release was received. Rathee had been detained by the police at his Gurugram home yesterday morning.
At 10:03 a.m., Dipke, Ranka, and Das were informed to be released by a court in Delhi.
Supreme Court Hearing
As of 9:50 a.m., the Supreme Court has planned a special court hearing, on pleas regarding mass detentions, transit shutdowns in Delhi amid anti-CEC protests. The hearing has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on 11th October.
Habeas Corpus Petition To Be Withdrawn
As of 09.08 a.m., the Habeas Corpus petition filed in Supreme Court seeking the release of CJP leaders has been sought to be withdrawn.
10:47 a.m.
CJP’s Legal Head Ratna Singh mentioned that the condition for Dipke, Ranka, and Das’s release was “no breach of peace for one year”.
11:42 a.m.
A surety bond of INR 50,000 was filed for the release of Dipke, Ranka, and Das from SEM court “for maintaining peace and good behaviour, for a period of one year”.
Reactions from the UNHRC
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) made a press release on 10th October, expressing concern over the mass detentions of the protesters in the Indian capital.
They urged authorities to ensure that the constitutional right to protest peacefully is preserved and called for the unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained. Furthermore, they urged the government to “engage in meaningful dialogue” to address broadly the concerns expressed by the protesters.
In response to the press release, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the OHCHR’s concerns, saying they “constitute an unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of India” and that the OHCHR would “also do well to devote comparable attention to large-scale protests elsewhere”.
12:03 p.m.
Supreme Court Hearing
The Supreme Court is currently hearing petitions arising from mass detentions and transit shutdowns yesterday.
The Court demanded that the Centre “remove barricades unless absolutely required” to normalise the free movement of the public (as reported by NDTV).
The Supreme Court also stated that it will pass an interim order calling for the metro to function normally until a law and order situation arises.
Justices Joymala Bagchi and V. Mohana said the internet in areas near the Jantar Mantar protest should be restored.
Dhruv Rathee claims he was “kidnapped”
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee took to X an hour ago, claiming that his detention on the morning of 10th October was, in fact, a “kidnapping”. He continued, saying that a group of nearly 20 plainclothed men who claimed to be police officers stormed into his house, pushing aside his mother and barging into Rathee’s room, where she was asleep.
According to him, they never showed him any proof that they belonged to the Delhi Police. Both his and his parents’ phones were taken away from them as soon as they unlawfully entered his household and dragged him out forcefully. Furthermore, he was not allowed to exercise his constitutional right to contact his lawyer upon his ‘detention’ at the police station where he was being held.
This incident marks another addition to a similar series of events over the last two days, where opposition leaders and prominent voices amongst the protesers have been ‘detained’ as soon as the gates of their residences were opened.
12:24 p.m.
Supreme Court Updates
The bench has ruled that metro and rail facilities shall remain operational unless required to be closed keeping in mind disturbance to public order as envisaged under Art. 19(2) of the constitution. It also said the free movement of the people in the city shall be permitted subject to traffic regulations adding that internet facilities shall remain undisturbed while clarifying that it is not taking away powers grated under the Information Technology Act. The smooth movement of people shall be permitted within the city in accordance with the law (As reported by LiveLaw).
It concluded that there ‘shall not be detention save and except by procedure established by law, particularly with regard to assemblage of peaceful, unarmed people beyond the area’ where Section 163 BNS is operational. The bench also instructed authorities to remove relevant boards citing that Section 163 is operational around the Supreme Court to prevent any apprehension citizens may have about access to the courts (As reported by LiveLaw).
12:51 p.m.
Supreme Court Updates
The Centre was directed by the Supreme Court to file its response on restrictions imposed during the protest by Tuesday.
12:59 p.m.
60-70 protestors were further detained, as reported by an Indian Express journalist, while marching in protest towards Connaught Place from Pallika Bazaar. Video footage depicts the police dragging them across the roads in an effort to effectively halt resistance. Large numbers of protesters were spotted sitting on roads pitching oral slogans despite police efforts to curb them from all sides.
The Supreme Court mandate for no illegal detention states:
There shall not be detention save and except by procedure established by law, particularly with regard to assemblage of peaceful, unarmed people beyond the area where S.163 BNSS is in operation.
BNSS Framework Violations
Under BNSS Section 163, and 173, police officers are only permitted to detain or arrest individuals without a warrant if there is a clear intent to commit a cognizable offence which otherwise cannot be prevented.
Under Section 170 and 151 of the old CrPc, physical acts such as dragging protesters across roads since they are not using weapons or active violence of any kind violates statutory arrest guidelines.
The detention of peaceful protesters outside a prohibited zone without invoking a specific legal power further violates constitutional guarantees under Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) and Article 19(1)(b).
Farmers stopped at Delhi-Noida Border
In a blatant violation of democratic principles, BKU-affiliated farmers marching to Delhi for the CJP protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar were stopped at the Delhi-Noida border on Saturday.
Hundreds of workers and farmers travelling in tractors and trolleys were stopped at Chapargarh Village and Yamuna Expressway toll plaza using barricades. The farmers, following a call by Rakesh Tikait, spokesperson of BKU, later staged a sit-in at the toll plaza.
Members of Kisan Sabha and Kisan Ekta Sangh also staged a demonstration in Greater Noida calling for the release of detained farmers. Currently Section 163 BNS is in force in Noida. (As reported by Hindustan Times).
Dipke heads to Maharashtra; Ranka, Das to announce next steps
CJP Leader Abhijeet Dipke stated that he is headed back to Maharashtra to be with his family following his grandmother’s passing.
A press conference will be held by Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das in Delhi at 02:00 p.m. to announce the “future course of action”.
Dipke’s family also alleged that Delhi Police did not release him in time to attend his grandmother’s funeral, “despite repeated requestions” (as reported by The Indian Express).
Dipke’s grandmother, Savitribai Shankarrao Dipke, passed away in Hingoli, a Maharashtra district, after a prolonged illness. Her last rites were performed this morning.
Security Tightened Near Jantar Mantar, CPI(M) MP John Brittas Detained
Security arrangements were tightened again around Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Sunday after 60 people were detained in Connaught Place’s N Block for marching towards Jantar Mantar. This included CPI (M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas. Additonal forces were moved from Parliament Street Police Station to the area following the detentions.
Additionally, Police blocked entry into Sansad Marg, reversing the comparitively lighter security arrangements around Jantar Mantar earlier in the day. (Reported by Pragyanesh for The Indian Express).
Site Updates: Palika Bazaar
Ashokan students near the protest site report that police and other armed forces seem to be exercising restraint in their use of force against the protesters, although unwarranted detentions are still taking place, a violation of Supreme Court orders.
A large number of police vans, tear gas cannons, Uber vans, etc. are being brought in. Out of the estimated 300 protesters at Palika Bazaar, a majority seem to be media personnel.
CJP Update
CJP Members traveling to Delhi from Jharkhand were forced to abandon their journey after they were allegedly followed and placed under surveillance at Ranchi Railway Station. They claimed they were filmed by men in plain clothes while they boarded the train two days ago.
In Delhi, CJP in-charge Ajinkya Shinde is said to address the press conference at Press Club of India in New Delhi at 02:00 p.m.
CJP Press Conference Updates:
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Ashutosh Ranka at the press conference stated that the group will continue its struggle against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, declaring that their fight has only begun amid a police crackdown on demonstrators in Delhi.
Ranka criticised the security arrangements in the capital and said PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah “should be ashamed” for allowing the situation to turn into a “war-like” scenario.
Ranka further alleged that he, Abhijeet Dipke and Saurav Das were “kidnapped” from their flight after arriving in Delhi ahead of the protest yesterday.
Police Handling of Dipke’s Grandmother’s Death Slammed by Ashutosh Ranka
Ashutosh Ranka alleged that the police did an insensitive job of handling the task of informing Dipke of his grandmother’s death. They approached him with a camera and microphone in hand, turning the moment into a spectacle.
Dipke’s request to contact a relative was also denied, despite him informing the police that his parents suffered from heart conditions and were prone to being anxious. (Source: The Indian Express.)
Das Questions Modi Over Gyanesh Kumar
Saurav Das posed a question as to why the government is protecting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He questioned what the latter knew of and changed, recounting Modi trailing in Varanasi before suddenly taking the lead in the 2024 General Elections.
Das alleged that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh(RSS) has also been asking for the resignation of the CEC, and asked why they have deployed thousands of police personnel to protect one man.
CJP leaders allege that devices were hacked
CJP Chief Spokesperson Saurav Das said that the police seized their phones without providing a seizure memo. Furthermore, he said the party suspects that their personal devices could’ve been hacked or cloned, and fears that they might have been accessed to plant documents or other materials that could later be presented as evidence against them, as has happened to other activists over the years.
CJP Head of Legal Affairs Ratna Singh alleged that the families of CJP volunteers were being threatened. She further claimed that the police behaved irresponsibly with volunteers’ parents.
AISA President calls for further mobilisation
Neha Bora, the left-wing president of the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and a doctoral student who undertook a hunger strike during the NEET protests, has once again raised their voice.
After the police cordoned off demonstrators from Jantar Mantar, they urged people to gather at Dilli Haat. Even after being detained, they continued to urge for further demonstrations and were released later in the day on 10th October.
During that time, they were kept in an isolated room, where the police prevented them from seeking legal assistance of any kind. Access to their phone was immediately restricted. Their resilience has resonated throughout the conditions prevailing in Delhi.
In a recent post on X, Neha has beseeched people to join the protest at Delhi’s R.K. Ashram, scheduled to continue after 2:30 p.m.
“We are currently in a situation akin to the dictatorial rule that the country once witnessed in 1975, a period we now refer to as The Emergency.”
-Saurav Das, CJP Chief Spokesperson
AISA Protest updates
The All India Students’ Association (AISA) took to social media around 5 PM, announcing the detention of AISA President Neha Bora at Connaught Place, Delhi.
In the same post, they elaborated on the atrocities the police personnel inflicted on the protesters. The detainees are being locked in buses that lack air ventilation. Outside, protesters were reported to be “beaten in their private parts, hurled casteist & misogynistic slurs by police”.
Various news outlets are also reporting an increase in the number of deployed personnel at Connaught Place.
Dipke clarifies on court orders
In a tweet around 4:30 PM, Abhijit Dipke clarified that he had not signed any bond preventing the CJP from protesting. “We will hit the streets again”, he wrote.
This statement comes after the release of Dipke, Ranka, and Das earlier today, on the condition that they would “not breach peace for a year.”
Rahul Gandhi announces march on Monday
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi took to X, calling for Opposition parties, civil society groups, and citizens to march to the Supreme Court on Monday to demand an end to “vote chori” and a halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.
He also condemned the police brutality that was being inflicted upon protesters who were participating in peaceful demonstrations.
He said that the march would be one, “united beyond party, gender, caste, community and state.”
Comments