Delhi Police file 20+ FIRs after CJP Jantar Mantar protest crackdown
Synopsis
Over 20 FIRs, 3,000-plus detentions — including Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal — and an unprecedented security lockdown could not silence the CJP's demand for CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over the electoral rolls revision. With key leaders already released and a fresh march announced for Sunday, the confrontation at Jantar Mantar is far from over.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police registered more than 20 FIRs on 11 October 2026 over forcible protest attempts near Jantar Mantar .
Over 3,000 protesters were detained on Saturday, including former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee , AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal , and former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan .
CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke , Saurav Das , and Ashutosh Ranka were held at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday and released by the Executive Magistrate on Sunday.
Social media influencer Dhruv Rathee was detained in Gurugram and released early Sunday.
Authorities denied permission for the rally, citing the CJP's violent July protest at the same venue, and imposed internet restrictions and roadblocks.
CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde has announced another march towards Jantar Mantar on Sunday, insisting protests will continue until CEC Gyanesh Kumar resigns.
Delhi Police have registered more than 20 First Information Reports (FIRs) in connection with attempts to forcibly stage demonstrations near Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, officials confirmed on Sunday, 11 October 2026. The cases relate to protesters demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Charges Filed and Arrests Made
The FIRs cover a range of offences, including taking the law into one's own hands, obstructing public servants on duty, and assaulting police personnel, according to officials. Three leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) — Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka — were placed under preventive arrest but were subsequently ordered released by the Executive Magistrate on Sunday, according to CJP legal affairs head Ratna Singh.
The trio had been detained on Saturday at Indira Gandhi International Airport as they landed in the capital ahead of the planned demonstration against the Election Commission of India (ECI).
What Singh Said on X
In a post on X earlier on Sunday, Singh had written: 'Abhijeet, Ashutosh and Saurav will be produced before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station at 9 AM today. A Delhi police official informed me about this in the morning. As CJP's Legal Head, I will be at the police station along with other advocates representing us.'
Scale of Saturday's Crackdown
On Saturday, more than 3,000 anti-CEC protesters were detained across Delhi, including prominent opposition figures such as former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, and former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Authorities deployed an unprecedented security cordon around the capital, breaking up what was intended as a single large gathering at Jantar Mantar into scattered smaller groups across the city.
Detained protesters were taken to various locations, including Chhatrasal Stadium and several police stations. Most, including the opposition leaders, were released later on Saturday evening. Social media influencer Dhruv Rathee was also detained at his residence in Gurugram on Saturday and released in the early hours of Sunday.
Why Authorities Refused Permission
The authorities had denied prior permission for the demonstration, citing the CJP's July protest at Jantar Mantar that reportedly turned violent. As a precaution, they imposed internet restrictions, erected roadblocks, and introduced traffic diversions across parts of the capital. This is the second major confrontation between security forces and CJP-led protesters at the same location within months, underscoring the growing tension over the electoral rolls revision exercise.
What Happens Next
CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde announced on Sunday that protesters intend to march towards Jantar Mantar again and will continue their agitation until CEC Gyanesh Kumar resigns. With FIRs now registered and key leaders released, the standoff between the movement and Delhi Police appears set to continue in the days ahead.
Point of View
000-plus detentions, internet curbs, stadium holding points and airport interceptions — signals how seriously the Centre is treating a protest movement that, until recently, operated on the political margins. Detaining Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal, both elected leaders with mass followings, raises sharp questions about the proportionality of the response and whether preventive detention powers are being stretched. The demand itself — resignation of a constitutional appointee over an ongoing electoral rolls exercise — sits at the intersection of electoral integrity and civil liberties, two issues that resonate well beyond the CJP's own base. Registering 20-plus FIRs the morning after may consolidate the legal case against organisers, but it also risks amplifying the movement's narrative of state overreach.
NationPress
11 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Delhi Police register over 20 FIRs at Jantar Mantar?
Delhi Police filed more than 20 FIRs against protesters who allegedly attempted to forcibly stage a demonstration near Jantar Mantar on 11 October 2026. The charges include obstructing public servants, taking the law into one's own hands, and assaulting police personnel.
What is the CJP protest about and who is Gyanesh Kumar?
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Kumar heads the Election Commission of India, which oversees the country's electoral process.
Who were the prominent leaders detained during Saturday's protest?
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, and former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan were among over 3,000 people detained on Saturday. Most, including these opposition leaders, were released later the same evening.
Why was permission denied for the Jantar Mantar rally?
Authorities refused permission for the demonstration citing the CJP's July protest at the same venue, which reportedly turned violent. Officials also imposed internet restrictions and roadblocks to prevent a repeat.
What happens next after the FIRs and detentions?
CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde has announced that protesters will march towards Jantar Mantar again on Sunday and will not stop until CEC Gyanesh Kumar resigns. With multiple FIRs registered and key leaders now released, further confrontations between the movement and law enforcement are likely.
