E-Paper
Delhi protest highlights: INDIA bloc plea challenges ECI's SIR decisions, seeks independent panel to audit deletions
Delhi protest highlights: INDIA bloc filed a petition against the ECI on Monday even as the march to Supreme COurt was halted. The plea was filed by the legal team of Congress, while LoP Rahul Gandhi reached the court premises after the protesters had moved back from the barricades.
- 10:55 PM IST, Oct 12This live blog has now ended
- 9:41 PM IST, Oct 12Decisions made in court of people, not on streets, says Scindia on Oppn march
- 9:10 PM IST, Oct 12Right to vote biggest gift of Constitution, says Sachin Pilot
- 9:07 PM IST, Oct 12People disgracefully deprived of right to vote, says Tharoor
- 9:02 PM IST, Oct 12DK Shivakumar backs INDIA Bloc’s Supreme Court petition against ECI
- 7:55 PM IST, Oct 12Inside Rahul Gandhi and team INDIA's ECI petition
- 7:54 PM IST, Oct 12Ready for ballot paper vote if Cong govts in Kerala, K'taka formed through EVMs resign, says Himanta
- 7:51 PM IST, Oct 12Anurag Thakur accuses Rahul of undermining institutions, using theatrics
- 7:25 PM IST, Oct 12We will force them to resign, says Congress' Pawan Khera
- 7:22 PM IST, Oct 12Assam CM alleges ‘foreign forces’ in Rahul Gandhi anti-CEC campaign
- 7:10 PM IST, Oct 12Protest at Mumbai's Shivaji Park, Aaditya Thackeray present | WATCH
- 6:57 PM IST, Oct 12Rahul and team leave SC
- 6:57 PM IST, Oct 12Rahul Gandhi's legal team completes petition legal formalities at SC
- 6:40 PM IST, Oct 12Rahul Gandhi reaches Supreme Court even as cops thwart march
- 6:25 PM IST, Oct 12INDIA bloc protest thwarted
- 5:41 PM IST, Oct 12Police vs protesters at Barakhamba road
- 5:38 PM IST, Oct 12Who are the other petitioners in the case?
- 5:18 PM IST, Oct 12INDIA bloc files petition in SC
- 5:13 PM IST, Oct 12Rahul Gandhi's legal team at SC to file petition
- 5:01 PM IST, Oct 12Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi atop mini truck with other Oppn leaders | WATCH
- 4:56 PM IST, Oct 12INDIA bloc march halted near Bhagwan Das road
- 4:45 PM IST, Oct 12Lawyers waiting outside SC for INDIA bloc leaders | WATCH
- 4:41 PM IST, Oct 12Rahul Gandhi's legal team waiting outside Supreme Court
- 4:38 PM IST, Oct 12Lawyers join INDIA bloc's SC march
- 4:30 PM IST, Oct 12Akhilesh Yadav joins INDIA bloc march to Supreme Court
- 4:27 PM IST, Oct 12Large crowd in CP for INDIA bloc march | WATCH
- 4:19 PM IST, Oct 12INDA bloc bus, on way to Supreme Court, rolls through massive crowd
- 4:08 PM IST, Oct 12Will the CJI meet Opposition leaders?
- 4:02 PM IST, Oct 12We urge the Chief Justice of India to meet us, says Cong's Warring
- 3:59 PM IST, Oct 12Protest will not stop until success is achieved, says SP MP
- 3:43 PM IST, Oct 12Rahul Gandhi, few others allowed to enter SC premises, file petition
- 3:34 PM IST, Oct 12Akhilesh Yadav arrives in Delhi, will join protest march
- 3:30 PM IST, Oct 12Several AAP leaders detained
- 3:18 PM IST, Oct 12CPI MP writes to Amit Shah against detention of journalists
- 3:05 PM IST, Oct 12MP Congress leaders detained while heading for SC march
- 3:02 PM IST, Oct 12Rahul Gandhi leads INDIA bloc's march to Supreme Court
- 2:49 PM IST, Oct 12Independent journalist Harsh Yadav still missing, alleges AISA
- 2:46 PM IST, Oct 12Rahul's march to SC is ‘drama’, says Union minister
- 2:31 PM IST, Oct 12Bus carrying Rahul Gandhi, others ready to leave
- 2:28 PM IST, Oct 12Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi leave Constitution Club.
- 2:21 PM IST, Oct 12CJP slams denotification of Jantar Mantar as protest site
- 2:14 PM IST, Oct 12‘Going to march towards seat of justice’, says Mahua Moitra
- 2:11 PM IST, Oct 12Kharge arrives at Constitution Club
- 1:54 PM IST, Oct 12People start to gather at Connaught Place ahead of INDIA bloc march
- 1:49 PM IST, Oct 12'Modi has imposed a state of emergency in Delhi, says AAP MP
- 1:40 PM IST, Oct 12‘We are demanding justice’, says Mamata Banerjee ahead of march
- 1:35 PM IST, Oct 12‘We are with what Rahul Gandhi does’, says Raut
- 1:26 PM IST, Oct 12Jantar Mantar de-notified as protest site
- 1:16 PM IST, Oct 12Fresh traffic advisory issued for Delhi ahead of INDIA bloc's march
- 1:03 PM IST, Oct 12Keralam passes resolution seeking CEC's removal
- 12:55 PM IST, Oct 12Rahul's open invite for people to join march to ‘protect Constitution’
- 12:44 PM IST, Oct 12Team CJP leaves police station, says submitted application for protest date
- 12:40 PM IST, Oct 12Rahul Gandhi's message for CEC Gyanesh Kumar
- 12:30 PM IST, Oct 12Rahul to move SC against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
- 12:28 PM IST, Oct 12‘People and Oppn on one hand, Modi and Gyanesh on other side’: Rahul
- 12:25 PM IST, Oct 12‘Why is Delhi jailed?’, asks Rahul Gandhi
- 12:22 PM IST, Oct 12Rahul Gandhi says Centre protecting CEC
- 12:00 PM IST, Oct 12CJP's ultimatum to Delhi Police over fresh protest
- 11:54 AM IST, Oct 12CJP backs INDIA bloc march against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
- 11:46 AM IST, Oct 12Jantar Mantar is designated protest site, says Ranka
- 11:41 AM IST, Oct 12Team CJP reaches Parliament Street Police Station
- 11:37 AM IST, Oct 12Saurav Das says cops have choice to tell CJP date for protest
- 11:18 AM IST, Oct 12Delhi HC to also hear plea seeking probe into alleged assaults on protesters
- 11:15 AM IST, Oct 12Delhi HC to hear plea against closure of Jantar Mantar for peaceful protests
- 11:06 AM IST, Oct 12Rahul Gandhi's ‘Chalo Dilli’ call ahead of SC march
- 10:58 AM IST, Oct 12Roads leading to Jantar Mantar heavily barricaded
- 10:54 AM IST, Oct 12INDIA bloc's march to Supreme Court at 4pm, claims Sanjay Raut
- 10:41 AM IST, Oct 12'SC's doors are open to everyone': CJI on INDIA bloc's meeting request
- 10:33 AM IST, Oct 12DHCBA to wear black ribbons while appearing in court
- 10:28 AM IST, Oct 12Rahul Gandhi to hold key press conference
- 10:18 AM IST, Oct 12Dipke ups ante against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
- 10:13 AM IST, Oct 12‘BJP is against the youth’, says Congress MP ahead of march
- 9:57 AM IST, Oct 12Mamata, Akhilesh among leaders set to join INDIA bloc march
- 9:45 AM IST, Oct 12‘Why immunity to ECs?’ asks Owaisi, seeks repeal of appointment law
- 9:39 AM IST, Oct 12‘They try to intimidate everyone’, says BJP on INDIA bloc's march
- 9:31 AM IST, Oct 12‘Daro Mat’, says Rahul Gandhi in message ahead of march
- 9:18 AM IST, Oct 12FIR registered over alleged AAP protest near Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
- 9:11 AM IST, Oct 12Congress workers protest at Himachal Bhavan
- 9:05 AM IST, Oct 12CPI(M) MP ‘injured’ during detention, writes to President and CJI
- 8:53 AM IST, Oct 12Security beefed up at Jantar Mantar
- 8:47 AM IST, Oct 12Security tightened in Delhi ahead of Opposition's march
- 8:40 AM IST, Oct 12Hindustan reporter among 12 journalists covering protests detained
- 8:32 AM IST, Oct 12Thackerays to lead protest in Mumbai against CEC
- 8:18 AM IST, Oct 12Former Kerala CM demands Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation
- 8:09 AM IST, Oct 12Advisory issued for traffic diversions in Capital
- 8:04 AM IST, Oct 126 Delhi Metro stations shut day after Supreme Court order
- 7:54 AM IST, Oct 12CJP to visit Parliament Street Police Station, seek time for protest
Delhi protest highlights: While the INDIA bloc march to the Supreme Court led by LoP Rahul Gandhi was stopped on Bhagwan Das Road, Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders reached the court on Monday evening where his legal team completed the formalities of the petition. INDIA bloc march was stopped on Bhagwan Das Road, some 600 meters away from the top court. The petition against the Election Commission was earlier filed by the Congress' legal team with Gandhi as the lead petitioner....Read More
Meanwhile, a huge crowd gathered in central Delhi for the INDIA bloc march.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders, including Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, visited the Parliament Street Police Station today to seek a date for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar against chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The CJP has also given the Delhi Police 24 hours to provide a date to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar.
Opposition's march to Supreme Court
Opposition parties marched to the Supreme Court today. Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge had earlier sought a meeting with CJI Surya Kant to raise allegations of "vote chori". However, the CJI declined to meet Rahul Gandhi over the allegations.
People familiar with the matter said the decision was based on the pending cases before the Supreme Court and the CJI's role in hearing petitions concerning the issue.
The Opposition had planned to raise several concerns, including police action against protesters demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, the need for an early hearing of cases linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and the composition of the committee responsible for recommending appointments to the Election Commission.
Capital crackdown
On Saturday, authorities carried out an unprecedented security operation and detained more than 7,000 protesters, including CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke and four former chief ministers. The action prevented a planned mass demonstration at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of CEC Kumar.
Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site, remained largely deserted throughout the day. More than 30,000 security personnel were deployed, while multiple layers of barricades were set up across Lutyens' Delhi to prevent protesters from reaching the area.
On Sunday, more than 200 protesters were detained as they shouted slogans and marched towards Jantar Mantar, with several seen being taken away in police buses. The action came as the CJP's protest entered its second day.
The detentions continued into the evening, with protesters being picked up from different locations even after 6.30 pm.
Why Gyanesh Kumar is under fire
The protests against Kumar come amid growing criticism of the Election Commission over the SIR of electoral rolls.
The controversy gained momentum following reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on at least 14 occasions over 10 months to decisions and orders, some of which they reportedly said were issued without their knowledge.
The Election Commission, however, has maintained that the three-member poll panel took all decisions, including those related to the SIR, unanimously.
Gyanesh Kumar row LIVE: Keralam passes resolution seeking CEC's removal
Gyanesh Kumar row LIVE: The Keralam assembly has passed a formal resolution seeking the removal of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
It sought the reconstitution of the Election Commission selection panel.
Delhi protests LIVE: Rahul Gandhi's open invite for people to join march to ‘protect Constitution’
Delhi protests LIVE: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said during a press conference, “India is marching; join us today at 1.30 PM at Barakhamba Junction in Connaught Place. If you want to protect the Constitution, anyone from any party can join. If people from the BJP feel that the Constitution is being attacked, join us.”
He also says, “If you cannot join us directly for any reason, show your solidarity when we are in front of the Supreme Court filing the petition.”
Delhi protests LIVE: Team CJP leaves police station, says submitted application for protest date
Delhi protests LIVE: CJP co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have left the Parliament Street Police Station after submitting an application requesting a date for their proposed protest in the Capital.
“The ball is now in Delhi Police's court. We have given them a 24-hour ultimatum to give us a date and time for when the protest can be held at the designated protest site, Jantar Mantar.”
Delhi protests LIVE: Rahul Gandhi's message for CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Delhi protests LIVE: During a press conference, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi suggested chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar to turn “approver” in the case against “vote chori”.
Delhi protests LIVE: Rahul to move SC against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Delhi protests LIVE: Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi has stepped up his criticism of Gyanesh Kumar, saying that he will file a petition before the Supreme Court at 3pm against the CEC.
Delhi protests LIVE: ‘People and Opposition on one hand, Modi and Gyanesh Kumar on other side’, says Rahul Gandhi
Delhi protests LIVE: Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi said during a press conference, “People, Oppn parties are on one side and PM Modi, HM Shah, NSA Doval, CEC Gyanesh Kumar on the other side.”
Delhi protests LIVE: ‘Why is Delhi jailed?’, asks Rahul Gandhi
Delhi protests LIVE: Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi said during a press conference, “halo Dilli', March for Democracy against vote theft and the Election Commission under Gyanesh Kumar has been a public movement in Delhi for the past four to five days. Resistance has been there for much longer, for 10 to 12 or 13 years, but now it is crystallising. The question is: Why is Delhi jailed?”
Delhi protests LIVE: Rahul Gandhi says Centre protecting CEC
Delhi protests LIVE: Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, in a press conference, alleged that the government is “protecting chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar”.
“The government is committing a grave mistake, because we want to show the country that Modi ji wants to ensure the security of Gyanesh Kumar... The more he is protected, the more we will ultimately reach his controller,” he said.
Delhi protests LIVE: CJP's ultimatum to Delhi Police over fresh protest
Delhi protests LIVE: Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) co-convener Ashutosh Ranka on Monday gave the Delhi Police 24 hours to provide a date for holding a protest at Jantar Mantar, warning that the group would announce its next course of action if no response came within the deadline.
“Jantar Mantar is the designated protest site and we are here to seek dates on which we can carry out our protest,” Ranka told cops at the Parliament Street police station.
“Where should I carry out our protest? They should tell us in the next 24 hours how we can proceed with the protest. Otherwise, we will give our next call,” he added.
Delhi protests LIVE: CJP backs INDIA bloc march against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Delhi protests LIVE: The Cockroach Janta Party has expressed support for Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi-led INDIA bloc's march to the Supreme Court to raise the issue of “vote-chori”, CJP co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka told reporters.
“All of us, all political parties and student organisations who are fighting at their own level stand in solidarity... Our team will be there... We hope the entire country comes together to fight this dictatorial regime.”
(Inputs from Paras Singh)
Delhi protests LIVE: Jantar Mantar is designated protest site, says Ranka
Delhi protests LIVE: CJP co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka said Jantar Mantar is the designated protest site and the Constitution gives them the right to protest. He said they were there to seek dates on which they could hold their protest.
Delhi protests LIVE: Team CJP reaches Parliament Street Police Station
Delhi protests LIVE: CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have reached the Parliament Street Police Station to seek a date for fresh protest at Jantar Mantar against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Delhi protests LIVE: Saurav Das says cops have choice to tell CJP date for protest
Delhi protests LIVE: CJP co-convenor Saurav Das told reporters, “Police tells everyone to approach them 10 days in advance. We are now saying that they have the choice to tell us the date and time (for protest at Jantar Mantar). We are giving them 24-hour ultimatum.”
Delhi protests LIVE: Delhi HC to also hear plea seeking probe into alleged assaults on protesters
Delhi protests LIVE: The Delhi high court has agreed to hear on Tuesday a plea seeking an independent, time-bound probe into the alleged assaults on protesters near Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place on October 10.
The petition seeks an investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), the preservation of CCTV footage and an inquiry into the police response.
Delhi protests LIVE: Delhi HC to hear plea against closure of Jantar Mantar for peaceful protests
Delhi protests LIVE: The Delhi high court has agreed to hear a petition on Tuesday challenging the closure of Jantar Mantar for peaceful protests.
The development came after a lawyer urged the court to take up the matter on Monday, arguing that there was “no place earmarked for peaceful protest and even Jantar Mantar has been closed.”
However, the court said it would hear the petition on Tuesday, noting that the Supreme Court was already considering the issue.
“Supreme Court is seized of the matter. The court has called upon the union to file the affidavits. To what extent can we look into it? Thus, let’s hear it tomorrow."
Delhi protests LIVE: Rahul Gandhi's ‘Chalo Dilli’ call ahead of SC march
Delhi protests LIVE: Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi urged people to join his “march for democracy” and “march for justice” in a post on X, as he gave the “Chalo Dilli” call ahead of the INDIA bloc's planned march to the Supreme Court, led by the Congress MP.
Delhi protests LIVE: Roads leading to Jantar Mantar heavily barricaded
Delhi protests LIVE: Roads leading to Jantar Mantar, Jai Singh Marg and Tolstoy Marg have been heavily barricaded amid heightened security in central Delhi ahead of the Opposition's march to Supreme Court.
Delhi protests LIVE: INDIA bloc's march to Supreme Court at 4pm, claims Sanjay Raut
Delhi protests LIVE: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut claimed that the INDIA bloc's march to Supreme Court, which was originally scheduled for 1:30pm, is scheduled to take place at 4pm.
“We will go there and try to meet the Chief Justice of India. He has now said that he cannot meet political leaders. We want to meet him because democracy in the country is being murdered in broad daylight, and the perpetrators are roaming freely in Delhi and issuing orders to the police,” he told news agency PTI.
Delhi protests LIVE: 'Supreme Court's doors are open to everyone', says CJI on INDIA bloc's meeting request
Delhi protests LIVE: After rejecting the Opposition's request to meet him, CJI Surya Kant said, "I received their letter yesterday and replied to it last night. The letter was dated the day before yesterday. I was away yesterday, so I did not receive it earlier. I responded last night, giving certain reasons for expressing my inability to meet them. I would request you to ask them about the contents of the letter. I have maintained its confidentiality."
He told reporters, "The doors of the Supreme Court are open to everyone. Anyone can file a petition, whether an ordinary citizen or a member of an elected body. Every citizen of India has the right to approach us. We will hear their concerns in accordance with the law and ensure that those who are entitled to relief receive their rights."
Delhi protests LIVE: Delhi HC Bar Association to wear black ribbons while appearing in court
Delhi protests LIVE: Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) members will wear black ribbons while appearing in court today as a mark of solidarity with lawyers who were allegedly manhandled during the October 10 protests.
The association, in its notice dated October 11, said the move is aimed at registering its strong protest against the excessive and disproportionate use of police force against members of the legal fraternity.
(Inputs from Shruti Kakkar)
Delhi protests LIVE: Rahul Gandhi to hold key press conference
Delhi protests LIVE: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will address a press conference at 11:30am ahead of the INDIA bloc's march to Supreme Court today.
Delhi protests LIVE: Dipke ups ante against CEC, asks what makes him ‘so indispensable to Modi’
Delhi protests LIVE: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has stepped up his criticism of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the Centre.
In a post on X, he wrote, “Youth are being assaulted, journalists are being assaulted even MPs are being assaulted by Delhi Police.”
He added, "What makes Gyanesh Kumar so indispensable to Modi that he is willing to wage war against everyone just to protect him?"
Delhi protests LIVE: ‘BJP is against the youth’, says Congress MP ahead of march
Delhi protests LIVE: Congress MP Gaddam Vamsi Krishna, speaking to agency ANI, said, “It clearly shows that the BJP is against the youth, the Gen Z of this country. They are unable to win the vote of the first-timers. That is why they have introduced Form 6. SIR was brought in to delete names of new voters. We will fight against this.”
Delhi protests LIVE: Mamata, Akhilesh among leaders set to join INDIA bloc march
Delhi protests LIVE: Here is the full list of Opposition leaders and parties expected to join Rahul Gandhi-led INDIA bloc's march to the Supreme Court today:
- Akhilesh Yadav and other Samajwadi Party MPs
- Mamata Banerjee (TMC)
- Left parties: CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML), RSP and Forward Bloc
- VCK
- IUML
- NCP (SP)
- RJD
- National Conference
- A few Kerala-based parties
(Inputs from Saubhadra Chatterji)
Delhi protests LIVE: ‘Why immunity to ECs?’ asks Owaisi, demands repeal of EC appointment law
Delhi protests LIVE: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has demanded the repeal of the new legislation governing the appointment of Chief Election Commissioners (CECs) and Election Commissioners (ECs), stating that granting them legal immunity undermines institutional credibility.
Speaking to ANI, the Hyderabad MP recalled raising concerns in the Lok Sabha alongside former MP Imtiaz Jaleel when the bill was introduced, claiming that their warnings about the erosion of the poll body's public trust had come true.
He said, "When this bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha, before it became law, we said that the legislation would impact the credibility of the Election Commission in the eyes of the people of India. You added a provision granting legal immunity to whoever becomes the CEC or EC, even after retirement. How is that possible? A case can be registered against a Prime Minister; former PM PV Narasimha Rao was summoned in the Jain Hawala diary case, and LK Advani used to appear in the Babri Masjid case. Why are you granting legal immunity to Election Commissioners?”
