The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an application alleging that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pushed a pregnant journalist during a march to the apex court on October 12. The matter was mentioned by senior advocate Gaurav Bhatia, who stated the journalist was three months pregnant and required hospitalisation. The court will hear the application on October 26 or October 27, alongside other pleas related to the October 12 march and electoral roll irregularities.
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar regarding a plea filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and 12 other opposition leaders concerning alleged large-scale voter deletions and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) irregularities.
Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc met President Droupadi Murmu, alleging 'vote chori' and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with the repeal of assembly polls from the last two years. Rahul Gandhi expressed shock that the President did not deny the 'election theft' charge but sought proof.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined a meeting request from opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, stating that discussing sub judice matters would violate judicial ethics and the principle of Separation of Powers. He advised them to file a formal petition with the Supreme Court instead of seeking an administrative meeting. The opposition had sought to discuss issues including the Chief Election Commissioner, arrests, and public transport disruptions.
Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer has formally requested the Election Commission to modify the ECINet software, seeking greater discretion for Electoral Registration Officers in addressing over 2 crore voter discrepancies.
The UN human rights office expressed concern over mass detentions during protests in Delhi on Saturday, urging India to respect peaceful assembly rights and release detainees. India rejected these concerns as "misplaced" and "unwarranted interference." The protests, organised by the Gen Z-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanded electoral reforms and the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter list manipulation, which the Election Commission and BJP deny.
Sources have refuted Rahul Gandhi's claims regarding President Droupadi Murmu's response to 'vote chori' allegations, stating it's 'unfortunate' she's being drawn into the controversy. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc, after meeting the President, has vowed to provide a 'mountain of proof' to support their claims of electoral malpractice and demand for the CEC's resignation.
Delhi Police have registered 20 FIRs and made arrests following Saturday's Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protest, which saw over 7,000 detentions and left more than 15 police personnel injured, was held over alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions.
Around 20 Congress workers, including six arrested, have been booked for attempt to murder, grievous hurt, and rioting after allegedly defacing Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's residence in Agra during a protest. The Congress party claims "false" sections were invoked and plans to challenge the charges.
Leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) have strongly criticised the Centre's security measures in New Delhi, including metro and train cancellations, ahead of their planned protest at Jantar Mantar. They accuse the government of imposing an "emergency" and being afraid of Gen Z, while demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral roll irregularities. The Supreme Court has intervened, directing authorities to ensure regulated movement.
Actor Imran Khan, a US national and OCI cardholder, plans to challenge a Mumbai police notice in the Bombay High Court. The notice, issued after his participation in a protest against the Chief Election Commissioner, demands he leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating immigration laws. Khan's petition argues that no law prohibits OCI cardholders from protesting.
Major opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, have filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging alleged large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This action follows a "March for Democracy" and a declined request to meet the Chief Justice of India regarding "vote chori" allegations.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) led a large protest in Mumbai, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke announced a further protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on October 10 if Kumar does not step down, citing alleged voter deletions and irregularities in recent elections. The protest, which saw participation from various activists and public figures, also called for freezing voter lists and abolishing the 2023 law on Election Commissioner appointments.
Several prominent INDIA bloc leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee, were detained by Delhi Police on Saturday while attempting to protest at Jantar Mantar. They were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, with leaders condemning the detentions as an attack on democracy.
The Delhi government has taken action by withholding the additional DCP charge for ACP Vivek Bhagat, who faces serious allegations of sexually harassing a woman journalist, pending a thorough inquiry into the matter.
Ajinkya Shinde, a native of Latur, Maharashtra, has taken charge of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) "Jantar Mantar 2.0" protest in Delhi. This follows the detention of CJP's top leaders, including Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka, by Delhi Police on Saturday. Shinde, a former computer engineer and AAP activist, is leading the agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter-list manipulation. The national capital saw a significant crackdown on Saturday, with nearly 500 protesters and leaders detained.
Delhi Police has advised the public to avoid the Cockroach Janta Party's 'Lehra Do Tiranga' march scheduled for Friday at Connaught Place, citing prohibitory orders and security concerns. While offering to facilitate a symbolic flag-waving event elsewhere, police have stepped up security and warned of legal action against those defying orders, as the proposed venue, Central Park, will be closed.
A 75-year-old man, Gopalakrishna Subbaiya Pillai, died of a heart attack during a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. The protest sought the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. Pillai complained of chest pain and was rushed to a hospital but succumbed during treatment.
The INDIA bloc, comprising 17 opposition parties and civil society members, met at Rahul Gandhi's residence to strategize against alleged "vote chori" and the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site. Leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Tejashwi Yadav, vowed to continue their united political and people's resistance, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and asserting that those responsible for undermining democracy would be held accountable.
The DMK has launched a strong attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioning his silence on alleged voter deletions in Tamil Nadu and accusing him of inconsistency regarding electoral roll revisions. This comes amidst a broader campaign by the INDIA bloc against the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Opposition parties in India have submitted notices seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing concerns over his appointment, conduct, and alleged manipulation of electoral processes.
'If Gyanesh Kumar had some shame he would have resigned and would have taken agni pariksha.'
The Delhi Police informed the High Court that Jantar Mantar was denotified as a protest site based on Supreme Court directions, a revelation made during a hearing on a plea by the Indian Youth Congress seeking protest permission. The court issued notice on the IYC's request for reconsideration and broader issues concerning protest regulation, while new sites have been designated.
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, and several other opposition leaders were detained by Delhi Police during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) jawan was reportedly stabbed during a protest in New Delhi. The Delhi Police have initiated legal action and are investigating the incident, with the injured jawan receiving medical attention.
The article details a history of internal disagreements among Election Commissioners in India, highlighting instances from 1993 to the present, including clashes between CECs and commissioners over various issues like removal recommendations, dissent notes, and affidavits, culminating in recent objections regarding voter list revisions.
The Cockroach Janta Party protest at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park in Mumbai drew several hundred Mumbaikars who demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is organising a protest in New Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities and the deletion of names from voter rolls. CJP leaders claim activists have been detained and faced restrictions while travelling to the capital for the demonstration.
Several protesters, including CPI(M) MP John Brittas, were detained in Delhi as the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation entered its second day on Sunday. Protesters alleged manhandling by security personnel, while police maintained extensive security arrangements, detaining thousands over the weekend.
The opposition is likely to submit a notice in both Houses of Parliament to remove Gyanesh Kumar as the chief election commissioner, marking a historic first. This article details the legal procedure for removing a CEC, including the roles of Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the investigation process.
CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to five-day judicial custody on Wednesday for allegedly trespassing into Jantar Mantar and demanding the CEC's resignation.
Rahul Gandhi dramatically shifted the INDIA bloc's protest after their march to the Election Commission was stopped and leaders were detained. He entered Akashvani Bhavan, leading to a standoff and a continued sit-in joined by other opposition leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, to protest against alleged threats to democracy.
Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi repeatedly recorded that they had not been consulted or informed about decisions taken in the Commission's name, revealed an Indian Express report on Wednesday morning.
The Union home ministry has extended the deployment of 273 Central Armed Police Forces companies in Delhi until October 31, anticipating potential "flash protests" from political and other groups across the national capital.
The Delhi High Court is set to hear petitions concerning the alleged closure of Jantar Mantar as a protest site and reported assaults on protesters. Lawyers argue that the closure infringes on the right to free speech, especially as no alternative sites were designated. Separately, Delhi Police have denotified Jantar Mantar and named three new protest locations.
Northern Railway has announced that all train services will operate as per their normal schedule on October 11, following cancellations and rescheduling of several trains on October 9-10 after the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) announced a protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi.
The Delhi High Court is set to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on October 16 concerning the right to peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar. The plea seeks directions to authorities to permit demonstrations and declare peaceful protest as part of free speech, following recent protests and alleged police actions. Another PIL regarding assaults on protesters was adjourned to November.
AISA national president Neha Bora was released at the Narela Industrial Area police station after being picked up during the organisation's protest march towards Jantar Mantar, with AISA members alleging procedural violations during her detention.
BJP veteran Murli Manohar Joshi emphasized the importance of fair elections, transparent bureaucracy, and constitutional adherence for a functioning democracy. His comments come amidst opposition protests led by the INDIA bloc, alleging irregularities in electoral roll revisions and demanding the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) convenor Abhijeet Dipke was detained by Delhi Police ahead of a protest, leading to him missing his grandmother's funeral. His family alleges police denied release requests, while police claim they offered assistance. The CJP continues its protest against the Chief Election Commissioner over alleged voter roll irregularities.