Delhi protests LIVE: Citizens’ March over women's safety to begin shortly; CJP protests for complaint over harassment

Delhi protests LIVE updates: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday backed women journalists who have accused police personnel of sexual harassment, saying that those whose job is to provide security are instead making women feel threatened.

“During reporting at Jantar Mantar, women journalists have accused police personnel of sexual harassment. Despite protests by dozens of journalists, no FIR was filed, nor was any concrete action taken. Women engaged in peaceful protests also allege that the police are behaving very indecently with them,” she wrote in a post on X.

She further questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah of not taking notice of the situation

“The very police whose job it is to provide security is making women feel threatened. From college students to journalists—women are facing insecurity everywhere. Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, is this the right way to treat women? If not, then why don't you take notice of it?”

Delhi protests LIVE updates: The Delhi Police has deployed around 5,000 personnel, including those from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and other paramilitary forces, in the Capital ahead of two protest marches against the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday.

It said no permission has been given for the marches from India Gate to Jantar Mantar, but expects a large turnout as the protests enter a third straight day.

Two marches against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar have been announced for Sunday — a Citizens’ March from India Gate to Jantar Mantar, which is expected to begin shortly, and an Indian Youth Congress march on the same route at 5pm.

Delhi protests LIVE updates: A Citizens’ March, led by All India Students' Association (AISA), is expected to begin shortly.

Delhi protests LIVE updates: Three women journalists have accused senior Delhi Police officers of sexual harassment during Saturday's protest against the Election Commission (EC) at Jantar Mantar. The police said on Sunday that their complaints had been forwarded to the Crime Branch for a detailed investigation.

In a post on X, the Delhi Police said: “On October 3, during the protest in New Delhi area, while being in law and order situation, allegations of sexual harassment were made by three female journalists against police officers. The New Delhi district has received their complaints and the same are transferred to crime branch for fair and impartial enquiry.”

The journalists have alleged that police officers deployed at the protest site touched them inappropriately while they were reporting on the demonstrations.

On Saturday evening, several independent journalists and social media influencers held a protest outside Parliament Street police station, demanding that FIRs be registered against the accused officers, including an assistant commissioner of police (ACP).

Delhi protests LIVE updates: CJP co-convenor Saurav Das, speaking to news agency ANI, said, "The complainant—the victim—is here, along with her lawyers and the rest of us. Why won't they speak to us? We have given them two or three minutes; otherwise, we are going to storm inside".

This comes after three women journalists accused senior Delhi police officers of sexual harassment during the protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. Delhi Police said their complaints have been forwarded to the crime branch for a detailed probe.

Delhi protests LIVE updates: CEC Gyanesh Kumar is at the centre of a controversy surrounding the Election Commission following an investigative report by The Indian Express that claimed that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months regarding decisions and procedures related to the SIR exercise.

Rejecting the claims, the Election Commission earlier said that key decisions, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, were taken unanimously by the full commission.

Delhi protests LIVE updates: The protest march from India Gate to Jantar Mantar by Indian Youth Congress (IYC) is scheduled for 5 pm, it announced on X, calling for the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

“Delhi, we have plans tonight. No cafes. No clubs. Bas mashaal, placards aur thode uncomfortable sawaal,” the post read.

Delhi protests LIVE updates: Two marches from India Gate to Jantar Mantar against chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar have been planned for Sunday. The first, a Citizens’ March, is scheduled to begin at 3 pm.

The Citizens' March is also set to raise women's safety concerns, All India Students' Association (AISA) announced on social media.

In a post on X on Saturday, the AISA wrote, “Today, Delhi Police manhandled, assaulted & groped female students & journalists. Why? Not for demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s removal. Just because Delhi Police treat women as objects to assault with impunity.”

This comes after three women journalists accused senior Delhi police officers of sexual harassment during the protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. Delhi Police said their complaints have been forwarded to the crime branch for a detailed probe.

Delhi protests LIVE updates: The Delhi Police has deployed around 5,000 personnel, including those from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and other paramilitary forces, in the Capital ahead of two protest marches against the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday.

Multi-layered barricading has been put in place on routes leading to Jantar Mantar, with police blocking access from Tolstoy Marg, Janpath Road, Sansad Marg and the Kerala Bhawan side. Barricades have also been installed near Ashoka Road and C-Hexagon.

A police officer said district forces, reserve personnel, RAF and other paramilitary forces have been deployed from Parliament Street police station to Jantar Mantar on both sides. “Though permission has not been granted, we are expecting huge numbers,” the officer said, seeking anonymity.

PCR vans and police vehicles will be deployed on all routes leading to Jantar Mantar, while CCTV cameras will be monitored directly from the DCP (New Delhi) office, the police said. Drones will also be used to monitor the crowd and assess security arrangements if the law-and-order situation becomes a concern.

Police said anti-riot gear has been provided to personnel and the Ministry of Home Affairs has been informed about the security arrangements.

(Inputs from HT Correspondent)

Delhi protests LIVE updates: Two marches from India Gate to Jantar Mantar against chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar are set to be held today.

Ahead of the protest marches, Delhi Police deployed around 5,000 personnel in the national capital.