Prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remain in force in the entire New Delhi district on Friday ahead of the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar against the Election Commission (EC) and seeking removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities during the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Delhi Police said.
“Citizens, visitors and all stakeholders are advised to strictly comply with the order and refrain from any unauthorised gathering or prohibited activity. The Jantar Mantar protest site has been heavily barricaded from all its entry points and hundreds of security personnel have been deployed around it and on the routes leading to the place. In a social media post, the Delhi Police informed the public about the invoking of prohibitory orders under 163 BNSS “to ensure public safety, maintenance of public order and smooth traffic movement. Under the 163 BNSS orders, public meetings or assembly of five or more people, processions, demonstrations, picketing or dharnas, shouting of slogans or making of speeches, carrying firearms, banners, placards, lathis, swords, sticks, brickbats, or similar articles are prohibited without prior written permission, the Delhi Police social media post said. Violations shall invite legal action under section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other applicable provisions of law,” the Delhi Police said.
Police said the Indian Youth Congress, which has already held several protests in the country in recent days, have sought permission for a fresh one at Jantar Mantar but was denied permission. On Thursday, the Delhi Police said they did not grant permission to any organisation for protests at Jantar Mantar, even as they began making security arrangements across Lutyens Delhi over concerns that a large number of protesters may gather at the site anyway. The All India Students’ Association (AISA), student wing of CPI(ML) Liberation, is scheduled to stage a stir at the spot on Friday, seeking removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR of electoral rolls.
