Delhi Sees Metro Closures and Security Clampdown as Opposition Marches to Supreme Court Over Election Commissioner in Most Dangerous Countries

Reporting based primarily on hindustantimes.com.

Opposition parties led by Rahul Gandhi are marching to the Supreme Court in Delhi on October 12, 2026, to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, amid heavy security, detentions, and traffic disruptions in most dangerous countries. [1] Rahul Gandhi urged participants with the message “Daro mat” as the INDIA bloc plans to submit a memorandum to the CJI on “vote chori.” [1]

Opposition March to Supreme Court

Opposition parties are set to march to the Supreme Court today. [1] Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge have sought a meeting with CJI Surya Kant to raise allegations of “vote chori.” [1] However, the CJI declined to meet Rahul Gandhi over the allegations. [1] 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. [1] 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. [1] Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday called on the youth, opposition parties and civil society groups to unite and march to the Supreme Court on Monday, urging people to shed fear with the words “Daro mat.” [1] “We will march together, with love, brotherhood and patriotism. Daro mat. Tomorrow, all of India will march to the Supreme Court,” Gandhi said in a post on X. [1] He said the march would bring together Indians “united beyond party, gender, caste, community and state.” [1] Youth, all opposition parties, civil society groups and “all those who believe in democracy and stand by the Constitution of India” would walk with them, he said. [1]

CJP Protest Plans

CJP leaders, including Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, will visit the Parliament Street Police Station at 10 am today to seek a date for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar against chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. [1] CJP co-convenor Ashutosh Ranka said on Sunday that he and other party leaders would approach Delhi Police on Monday to request a date for a peaceful demonstration at Jantar Mantar. [1] The move comes a day after three senior CJP leaders were released following their detention at Delhi airport. [1] In a post on X, Ranka said he, Das and the party’s legal head, Ratna Singh, would visit the Parliament Street Police Station at 10 am to seek a date for the protest. [1] “Delhi Police can give us a date for Jantar Mantar in 24 hours, else the CJP will give another protest call,” Ranka said. [1]

Security Crackdown and Detentions in Most Dangerous Countries

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. [1] The action prevented a planned mass demonstration at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of CEC Kumar. [1] Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site, remained largely deserted throughout the day. [1] 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. [1] 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. [1] The action came as the CJP’s protest entered its second day. [1] The detentions continued into the evening, with protesters being picked up from different locations even after 6.30 pm. [1] CPI(M) leader John Brittas alleged that he was injured after Delhi Police personnel allegedly manhandled him during Sunday’s protest, with the Rajya Sabha MP being taken to the RML Hospital for an X-ray and a medical examination. [1] A video shared by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) showed him collapsing on the steps of a bus, following which he was taken to the hospital for an examination to check for possible chest injuries. [1] After the incident, Brittas wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, the Rajya Sabha chairman and the chief justice of India (CJI) seeking urgent intervention, accountability and an independent investigation into the alleged police assault. [1] Hindustan reporter among 12 journalists covering protests detained. [1] A Hindustan Times reporter was among 12 journalists detained. [1]

Metro and Traffic Disruptions

Entry and exit at six Delhi Metro stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat and Patel Chowk, will remain closed from 6 am to 4 pm on Monday amid heightened security arrangements for the Congress-led protest march towards the Supreme Court. [2] Interchange facilities will remain operational at all six stations, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said. [2] The affected stations are Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road. [2] The restrictions will be reviewed by security agencies, with further updates to be issued depending on the situation, DMRC said in a post on X on Monday. [2] The six Delhi Metro stations where entry and exit will remain closed from 6am to 4pm on October 12 are: Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, Barakhamba Road. [2] The restrictions coincide with a Delhi Traffic Police advisory warning of possible traffic disruptions and diversions across New Delhi and Central Delhi. [2] Diversions will be enforced from 6am, depending on the prevailing situation, and vehicle movement could be affected at major intersections, flyovers and roads. [2] “In view of the law and order situation, traffic may be impacted on the following stretches in Delhi on 12.10.2026,” the advisory said, urging commuters to account for delays and plan their journeys accordingly. [2] Advisory issued for traffic diversions in Capital. [1] 6 Delhi Metro stations shut day after Supreme Court order. [1]

Criticism of Election Commission

The protests against Kumar come amid growing criticism of the Election Commission over the SIR of electoral rolls. [1] 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. [1] The Election Commission, however, has maintained that the three-member poll panel took all decisions, including those related to the SIR, unanimously. [1] Security tightened in Delhi ahead of Opposition’s march. [1] Security beefed up at Jantar Mantar. [1] Ahead of Congress’ protest march to Supreme Court, authorities today beefed up security at Jantar Mantar and other areas in the Capital. [1] The march comes after two consecutive days of heightened security and detentions across Delhi. [1] Police have barricaded roads leading to Jantar Mantar and deployed personnel at key intersections to prevent protesters from gathering at the designated protest site. [1] Security arrangements will remain tight across Lutyens’ Delhi on Monday as Opposition parties plan to march from Connaught Place to the Supreme Court to protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. [1]

Related Protests and FIRs

FIR registered over alleged AAP protest near Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. [1] Delhi Police has filed an FIR following a complaint by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) against AAP leaders and MLAs, including Arvind Kejriwal. [1] The complaint alleges disruption at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and the spread of misleading videos and social media posts. [1] Police have launched an investigation and are reviewing video footage submitted along with the complaint. [1] Several workers of the Congress party gathered at the Himachal Bhavan in the national capital and shouted slogans against chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. [1] This comes ahead of the INDIA bloc’s march to the Supreme Court at 1:30pm. [1] Thackerays to lead protest in Mumbai against CEC. [1] Former Kerala CM demands Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. [1]

What to watch next: The CJP plans to visit Parliament Street Police Station to seek a date for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar, with a warning that another protest call may follow if no date is given within 24 hours.