India
Delhi Police register 3 FIRs over anti-CEC protests
Delhi Police registered three FIRs over protests demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation. Protests were held in central Delhi, with over 1,000 people detained. FIRs under Section 223 of BNS for disobedience to public orders.
At a glance
Why it matters
The FIRs highlight the legal and security measures taken by Delhi Police in response to protests against the Chief Election Commissioner, raising questions about the balance between public dissent and law enforcement.
Key facts
- Delhi Police registered three FIRs under Section 223 of the BNS for disobedience to public orders.
- Over 1,000 protesters were detained during the demonstrations in central Delhi.
- Protests were organized by AAP, AISA, SFI, NSUI, IYC, and other groups demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral roll irregularities.
- Prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS were issued to prevent unauthorized gatherings and demonstrations.
- The FIRs do not name any individuals or organizations as accused but include details of organizers and participants.
What happens next
The FIRs will be reviewed by courts in the coming weeks, with the outcome expected to clarify the legal consequences for the protesters and organizers.
Delhi Police registered three first information reports (FIRs) on Saturday over protests held on Friday demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protests, organized by student groups, political parties, and civil society activists, aimed to gather at Jantar Mantar to challenge Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The FIRs were registered under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which addresses disobedience to orders issued by public servants.
The protests took place across central Delhi, with thousands of participants attempting to reach Jantar Mantar. Police detained around 1,000 protesters as they tried to cross barricades and access the designated protest site. The demonstrations involved the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), All India Students' Association (AISA), Students' Federation of India (SFI), National Students' Union of India (NSUI), Indian Youth Congress (IYC), and other groups. Protesters were demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged mass deletion of voters during the SIR process.
Delhi Police had issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to prevent gatherings of five or more people, processions, and demonstrations without prior permission. These orders were communicated to the public three hours before the protest. Violations of these orders could result in imprisonment up to six months or a fine of ₹2,500, or both. If the disobedience caused danger to public safety or led to a riot, the punishment could extend to one year or a fine of ₹5,000.
Among those detained were AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi, and Sanjeev Jha, along with AISA president Neha Bora, civil society activist Yogendra Yadav, and RJD MP Manoj Jha. Over 5,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed to secure central Delhi, with entry and exit gates at 12 metro stations closed and internet services suspended in parts of the city. The FIRs do not name any individuals or organizations as accused, but they include details of organizers and participants in the demonstrations.
The Election Commission has not yet provided a detailed response to the allegations against Kumar. The FIRs do not specify whether other sections of the BNS or other laws were invoked. The police have not confirmed if more charges are being considered. The next known development is the outcome of the FIRs, which will be reviewed by the courts in the coming weeks.