Delhi police detain CJP leaders again as protest hearing is postponed

Delhi police detained Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka and Ajinkya Shinde on Oct. 13 as the CJP leaders tried to reach Jantar Mantar. A Supreme Court hearing on protest-related petitions was moved to Oct. 15.

The Hindu reported the new detentions on Tuesday. The Indian Express separately reported that the three leaders and other volunteers had been detained at the protest site. The latest action follows earlier detentions before the movement’s planned Oct. 10 demonstration.

The protests target Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Claims of large-scale voter deletions and electoral irregularities are allegations raised by the opposition and protesters, rather than findings established by the court.

The Supreme Court postponed its hearing on petitions concerning protests, metro station closures and disruptions to train services because a judge was unwell. The petitions concern restrictions surrounding the Oct. 10 agitation.

Separately, Delhi police sought to keep 273 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces deployed until Oct. 20, The Hindu reported, citing sources. Police requested the extension in a letter to the Union Home Ministry. The report describes a request, rather than confirmation that it was approved.

On Oct. 12, the court registry flagged more than 10 defects in a petition filed by Rahul Gandhi and others over the voter-roll revision. Those procedural objections do not amount to a judgment on the underlying election allegations.