Barricades up, body cameras on: Delhi Police gear up for CJP's visit to seek Jantar Mantar march nod

Delhi Police ramped up security measures outside key locations in the capital on Wednesday, as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) prepared to submit a letter to seek permission for a march at Jantar Mantar on October 10. The protest is being led by the CJP co-convener, Saurav Das, who announced on X that the intimation letter would be submitted at 10 am.

The CJP has called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Das emphasized the right to peaceful assembly under the Constitution of India.

In response to the impending protest, the Delhi Police intensified security around Parliament Street police station, Sansad and Tolstoy Marg. Jantar Mantar, the Election Commission of India’s office, and surrounding streets have already been heavily barricaded. Additional pickets were set up near the ECI office, Sansad Marg, Barakhamba Road, and Connaught Place, where vehicles are currently undergoing checks.

To maintain order during the protest, the Delhi Police have deployed approximately 150 personnel equipped with body cameras, following complaints of sexual harassment by three women during a similar protest on Saturday. Three complaints have been filed and transferred to the Crime Branch.

The Delhi Police have previously detained around 260 individuals during an Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc protest on Tuesday, including ten Members of Parliament. No permission was granted for this protest, and it proceeded under prohibitory orders issued under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in the New Delhi jurisdiction. During a similar protest on Monday, 17 people were arrested, and five First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered.