Delhi Police has shut the door on Saturday's planned protest at Jantar Mantar. The force formally refused permission to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) for its October 10 demonstration demanding accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, hardening the security lockdown already tightening across the national capital.
The decision, announced at a press conference by senior Delhi Police officer Nupur Prasad, marks the latest escalation in a standoff that has seen metro stations face possible closure, trains cancelled, and over 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed across New Delhi. The CJP had called the protest to press its demand for the CEC's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls — the same "vote chori" row that has kept opposition MPs on the streets for four straight days.
Why Delhi Police denied the CJP protest permission
Prasad laid out three reasons for the refusal, each stated plainly at the press conference. First, timing: the CJP's application, submitted by co-convenor Saurav Das, reached the police only on October 7 — three days before the proposed demonstration. Under the guidelines governing events at Jantar Mantar, organisers must apply at least 10 days in advance, giving the authorities time to assess crowd estimates, route plans and volunteer arrangements. The CJP's application, Prasad said, did not meet that bar.
Second, track record. Prasad alleged that the CJP had failed to honour lawful directions and undertakings given during a previous protest where permission had been granted. The police, she said, could not overlook that history when weighing the new request.
Third, the prevailing situation. With preventive restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) already in force across the New Delhi area, and public safety, law-and-order and traffic considerations all weighing in, the police concluded the demonstration could not be cleared. Officials also warned that violations of prohibitory orders, vandalism or damage to public property would invite legal action.
Asked by a journalist whether similar violations by other political groups had drawn the same treatment, Prasad said further information on earlier incidents could be provided later.
Police appeal to citizens: stay away from the "illegal" gathering
The formal denial follows a days-long outreach campaign in which Delhi Police has urged citizens not to participate in the October 10 protest. Deputy Commissioner of Police Shrishti Pandey said Section 163 restrictions mean protests are not permitted at Jantar Mantar or anywhere else in the area while the orders remain in force, and warned that any gathering would be treated as illegal.
"Section 163 is in effect, meaning protests are not permitted — neither at Jantar Mantar nor anywhere else. Any gathering will be considered illegal, and we would be compelled to take necessary legal action against it," Pandey said, urging people to prioritise their own safety and that of their families. She added that joining an unauthorised protest could carry long-term legal consequences.
Between October 7 and 10, police teams have been meeting market associations, student PG owners, resident welfare associations and local residents to discourage public assembly for the protest, according to ETV Bharat.
Delhi lockdown: trains cancelled, metro curbs proposed, liquor shops shut
The permission denial lands on top of an unusually sweeping preventive lockdown. Indian Railways has cancelled Mail and Express trains scheduled to arrive at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations between 4 AM and 2 PM on October 10, citing anticipated traffic congestion. Several Rajdhani Express services departing on October 9 were also cancelled, including the Howrah–New Delhi Rajdhani (12301), the Rajendra Nagar–New Delhi Tejas Rajdhani (12309) and the Sealdah–New Delhi Rajdhani (12313).
Separately, Delhi Police has written to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation proposing that entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations be closed from 9 PM on Friday, October 9, until the situation normalises — a proposal the DMRC was yet to act on. The stations on the list include Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Mandi House, ITO, Kashmere Gate, Karol Bagh, Khan Market and the Supreme Court station, among others. All liquor shops in Delhi have also been ordered shut for 48 hours.
The SIR protest backdrop: why October 10 matters
The CJP's "Chalo Delhi" call is the latest flashpoint in a protest wave over the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Opposition parties, led by the INDIA bloc, allege the exercise has deleted genuine voters and tilted the playing field — a charge the poll panel has rejected. On Friday, INDIA bloc MPs were expected to march toward Rashtrapati Bhavan in a separate protest demanding the CEC's resignation, a day after their Rajghat sit-in.
The CJP's October 10 demonstration, organised with Left and youth organisations, was meant to widen that agitation to the streets of the capital. With permission now formally denied and Section 163 in force, any attempt to gather at Jantar Mantar on Saturday would face immediate police action.
It is worth noting that the police's reasons for refusal are procedural and situational — short notice, alleged past non-compliance and the prevailing restrictions — rather than a judgment on the substance of the CJP's demands about electoral-roll revision.
What happens next
All eyes are now on Saturday. Whether the CJP and its supporters attempt to defy the denial and gather at Jantar Mantar anyway will determine how the day unfolds — and how forcefully the police, with 20,000-plus personnel and 221 CAPF companies deployed, respond. The Delhi Metro's decision on the proposed 57-station closures, expected by Friday night, will set the tone for the capital's mobility on protest day. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc's Rashtrapati Bhavan march on Friday could add fresh fuel to the confrontation before Saturday even arrives.
Key Takeaways
- Delhi Police formally denied permission for the CJP's October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar, announced by senior Delhi Police officer Nupur Prasad at a press conference.
- The application, filed by CJP co-convenor Saurav Das on October 7, fell short of the mandatory 10-day advance notice for Jantar Mantar events.
- Police also cited the CJP's alleged past non-compliance with lawful directions, plus public-safety, law-and-order and traffic concerns under BNSS Section 163 restrictions.
- DCP Shrishti Pandey appealed to citizens not to join, warning that any gathering would be considered illegal and could carry long-term legal consequences.
- The denial comes amid a wider lockdown: cancelled trains, proposed 57-station metro curbs, 48-hour liquor-shop closures and 20,000-plus security personnel deployed.
- The protest was meant to demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar's accountability over the SIR electoral-roll revision; the INDIA bloc's separate Rashtrapati Bhavan march was scheduled for Friday.
FAQs
Why did Delhi Police deny permission for the CJP protest on October 10?
senior Delhi Police officer Nupur Prasad said the application was received on October 7, short of the 10-day advance notice required for events at Jantar Mantar. She also cited the CJP's alleged failure to follow lawful directions at a previous protest, and prevailing public-safety, law-and-order and traffic concerns under BNSS Section 163 restrictions.
Who filed the protest application?
According to the police, the application was submitted by CJP co-convenor Saurav Das on October 7, seeking permission for a demonstration on the accountability of the Chief Election Commissioner. The proposed protest was scheduled for Saturday, October 10, at Jantar Mantar.
What is BNSS Section 163?
Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita is the preventive-restriction provision that replaced the colonial-era Section 144 of the CrPC. It empowers authorities to prohibit public gatherings in an area to maintain public order. Delhi Police says these restrictions are currently in force across the New Delhi district.
What happens if people gather at Jantar Mantar on October 10 anyway?
Police have said any gathering would be considered illegal while Section 163 restrictions are in force, and warned of legal action. DCP Shrishti Pandey said participation in an unauthorised protest could carry long-term legal consequences, and urged people to follow the proper legal process instead.
Which trains were cancelled because of the protest?
Indian Railways cancelled Mail and Express trains arriving at New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin between 4 AM and 2 PM on October 10. Several Rajdhani services departing October 9 were also cancelled, including the Howrah–New Delhi (12301), Rajendra Nagar–New Delhi Tejas (12309) and Sealdah–New Delhi (12313) Rajdhanis.
Will the Delhi Metro be closed on October 10?
Delhi Police has proposed closing entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations from 9 PM on October 9 until the situation normalises, and reducing train frequency — but this was a proposal to the DMRC, not a confirmed order. The stations listed include Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Mandi House, ITO, Kashmere Gate and Karol Bagh.
What is the CJP protesting about?
The CJP, along with Left and youth organisations, wants accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and has demanded his resignation. The protest is part of a wider "vote chori" agitation that has also seen INDIA bloc MPs demonstrate for four consecutive days.
How is this different from the INDIA bloc's Friday march?
The CJP's October 10 Jantar Mantar demonstration is a separate event from the INDIA bloc's planned Friday march to Rashtrapati Bhavan. Both target the Election Commission and CEC Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR controversy, but they involve different organisers, venues and dates.
Why it matters
The denial is the clearest signal yet that the authorities will not allow Saturday's protest to proceed in any authorised form. It also comes as the Chamber of Trade and Industry has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking curbs on large demonstrations in central Delhi during the festive season, claiming — in its own survey — that market business has fallen by around 70 per cent over three days of protests and lockdown measures. For the CJP and its allies, it closes the legal route to Jantar Mantar; for the police, it sets the groundwork for enforcement if crowds gather anyway. The decision also sharpens the political question the INDIA bloc has been raising all week — whether preventive restrictions are being applied even-handedly.
Sources
- ABP Live — "Delhi Police Deny Permission For October 10 CJP Protest As National Capital Turns Into Fortress" (Oct 9, 2026)
- ABP Live — "Breaking News: Delhi Police Denies CJP Permission For October 10 Protest At Jantar Mantar" (Oct 9, 2026)
- Business Today — "'They didn't seek permission in time': Delhi Police on CJP's October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar" (Oct 9, 2026)
- The Economic Times — "CJP protest on October 10: Delhi Police warns against gathering, calls it 'illegal'" (Oct 9, 2026)
- ETV Bharat — "Delhi Police Urge Citizens Not To Join October 10 CJP Protest, Warn Of Legal Consequences" (Oct 8, 2026)
Related on GlobalDeskNews
- Delhi Metro May Close 57 Stations as Railways Cancel Trains — the wider lockdown ahead of Saturday's protest
- Delhi Liquor Shops to Stay Shut 48 Hours Ahead of October 10 Protest
- INDIA Bloc Stages Rajghat Sit-in on Day 3 of Vote-Chori Protest
- Rahul Gandhi Detained at Jantar Mantar During Vote-Chori Protest
By GlobalDeskNews Staff