Delhi Police on Saturday (October 3, 2026) registered at least three FIRs in connection with Friday (October 2) protests by student organisations, political parties and civil society activists who attempted to gather at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Many of those detained were subsequently released. The orders were issued ahead of the protest to ensure public safety, maintain public order and facilitate smooth traffic movement. Two FIRs were registered at Parliament Street police station and one at Connaught Place police station, invoking Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for alleged disobedience of an order duly promulgated by a public servant, a senior police officer said. Police said the protesters violated prohibitory orders imposed across New Delhi district under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Police had publicly notified the restrictions nearly three hours before the proposed protest on Friday (October 2) morning and warned that violations would invite action under Section 223 of the BNS and other applicable provisions. Section 223 provides for imprisonment of up to six months, or a fine of up to ₹2,500, or both, for disobedience of such an order. Where the disobedience causes or tends to cause danger to human life, health or safety, or causes or tends to cause a riot or affray, the punishment can extend to one year, or a fine of up to ₹5,000, or both, according to police. Nearly 1,000 people were detained at Jantar Mantar and in surrounding areas as police and paramilitary personnel prevented large groups from reaching the protest site. Several detainees were taken to different police stations, including Fatehpur Beri, Dwarka Sector 23, Karawal Nagar and Badarpur. Atishi, Anurag Dhanda and Kuldeep Kumar were taken to Fatehpur Beri, while Sanjay Singh, Bharadwaj and Sanjeev Jha were taken to Dwarka Sector 23, according to information from the day’s police action.
