Delhi Police deny permission for CJP’s October 10 Jantar Mantar protest, cite breach of past undertaking

The Delhi Police have denied permission for the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) planned protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10, citing alleged non-compliance with conditions from a previous demonstration. Joint Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad stated that the decision was made due to the party's failure to adhere to the terms of their undertaking from a prior protest.

This denial occurs just two days after CJP co-convener Saurav Das submitted a letter on October 7, requesting arrangements for law and order and traffic management. The CJP argued it was informing the police rather than seeking permission, as Jantar Mantar is a designated protest site. The protest, organized by the CJP and student groups, demands the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, an independent inquiry into electoral roll revision irregularities, and reforms to the process of appointing Election Commissioners.

The police have been scrutinizing proposed demonstrations following the July protest over the National Eligibilitycetification Entrance Test (NEET)-UG paper leak, which resulted in confrontations between protesters and security personnel. The Crime Branch has registered a fresh FIR to investigate the alleged involvement of 2,873 individuals with criminal records who were flagged during the July protest, examining whether the violence was pre-planned.

The denial of permission follows heightened restrictions on demonstrations in central Delhi, where organizers must now obtain prior permission for protests at Jantar Mantar, with applications typically submitted at least 10 days in advance.