Delhi Police files three FIRs after anti-CEC demonstrations
Delhi Police has registered three FIRs over demonstrations in New Delhi seeking Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. The cases invoke a provision concerning disobedience of public orders, but no person or organisation has been named as an accused. Police said nearly 1,000 people were detained around Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police has registered three first information reports over protests in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, a senior police officer said on Saturday. Two FIRs were registered at Parliament Street police station and one at Connaught Place police station. Police invoked Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which concerns disobedience of an order promulgated by a public servant.
No individual or organisation has been named as an accused in the FIRs. However, an officer said the documents contain details of organisers and organisations that proposed or participated in the demonstrations. The protests on October 2 involved student organisations, political parties and civil society activists who attempted to gather at Jantar Mantar.
They were seeking Kumar’s resignation over allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The Election Commission’s position and responses to those allegations were not detailed in the FIRs. Police said the demonstrators violated prohibitory orders issued across New Delhi district under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
The orders prohibited gatherings of five or more people, processions, demonstrations, picketing, dharnas, slogan shouting and speeches without prior written permission. They also prohibited the carrying of items including banners, placards, sticks and similar articles. Police said the restrictions had been publicly notified nearly three hours before the proposed protest and warned that violations could attract action under Section 223.
The provision allows imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to ₹2,500, or both; where disobedience causes or threatens danger, a riot or an affray, the punishment can extend to one year or a fine of up to ₹5,000. Nearly 1,000 people were detained at Jantar Mantar and nearby areas, according to police. Many were later released.
Those detained included AAP leaders, civil society activist Yogendra Yadav, RJD MP Manoj Jha and representatives of student and youth organisations.
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