Jantar Mantar Protest Live: Student Groups, AAP Workers Detained Amid Security Clampdown

More than 500 people, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and members of student organisations, were detained by Delhi Police on Friday during a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The protesters were demanding action against the Chief Election Commissioner and raising concerns over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Demonstrators also alleged that a large number of voters had been removed from electoral lists and called for the CEC's resignation.Police sources said that AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha, Atishi and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh were among those detained. Police said around 500 protesters were taken into custody from Jantar Mantar and nearby areas. PTI-based reporting also confirmed the detention of more than 500 protesters.
SFI Workers Stopped on Ashoka Road
According to police sources, around 700 SFI workers attempted to move towards Jantar Mantar but were stopped near the Ashoka Road roundabout. Several of them were detained.
SFI general secretary Aishe Ghosh said that several DYFI and SFI workers were also taken into custody. Workers from NSUI and other student organisations were among those present at the protest. Some demonstrators were seen attempting to cross barricades on Ferozeshah Road.
Saurabh Bharadwaj Says Protest Was Peaceful
AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj said through social media posts and video messages that the protest was peaceful and that he and Sanjeev Jha were nevertheless detained.Bharadwaj appealed to AAP workers and supporters to continue the movement and reach Jantar Mantar. He said police told him that permission had not been granted for the demonstration.
Bharadwaj questioned the need for permission to protest at a designated demonstration site and said the party had submitted a request seeking permission around a week before the planned protest.
Student Groups Raise SIR Concerns
SFI general secretary Aishe Ghosh questioned the police action and said a large number of workers had been detained. Student organisations including AISA, SFI, NSUI and DYFI participated in the demonstrations.
The groups raised concerns over the SIR process and alleged large-scale deletion of names from electoral rolls. These allegations were made by the protesters and have not been independently verified.
The Election Commission has not accepted the allegations and has maintained that decisions related to the SIR were taken as part of the commission's established process. Current reports also confirm that the protest was linked to demands concerning the functioning of the Election Commission and the SIR exercise.
Metro Services Hit Amid Security Measures
In view of the protest, entry and exit facilities at several Delhi Metro stations were closed as part of heightened security arrangements in central Delhi.
The stations listed in the supplied report include Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg and New Delhi, along with the additional station mentioned in the live update.
Interchange facilities continued to be available at key stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, New Delhi and Central Secretariat. Independent reports confirmed that entry and exit at 11 stations were initially closed while interchange facilities remained available at selected stations.
Police Had Denied Permission
Delhi Police had earlier said that permission had not been granted for the proposed Jantar Mantar demonstration. Security was subsequently increased in and around the protest site, while restrictions were also imposed on movement in parts of central Delhi.
Police appealed to the public to cooperate in maintaining law and order. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was also imposed in the New Delhi area amid the planned demonstration.
The protest comes amid a wider political dispute over the SIR process and the functioning of the Election Commission. Protesters have demanded accountability from the poll panel, while the Election Commission has defended its procedures.