LIVE | Rahul meets Ankita Bhandari's parents at India Gate; Dipke calls Tiranga protest on Oct 16

How Gyanesh Kumar has united all protests

Rahul Gandhi visits India Gate to meet Ankita Bhandari’s parents

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, arrived at India Gate in Delhi to meet the parents of Ankita Bhandari, who was murdered in Uttarakhand in 2022. The parents have been demanding that Dushyant Kumar Gautam’s appointment as Sikkim governor be put on hold until the ongoing CBI investigation into the case is complete. He was appointed the governor of Sikkim on Monday.

Ankita, 19, who worked as a receptionist at the Vanantra Resort in Rishikesh, was killed on September 18, 2022. Her body was recovered from the Chilla canal four days later. Resort owner Pulkit Arya, son of former BJP leader Vinod Arya, and two accomplices have been convicted in the case and sentenced to life imprisonment.

The case hogged the political spotlight over allegations that an unidentified VIP was linked to the crime. Ankita’s family and activists allege that Gautam is that VIP. Gautam has denied the accusations and initiated defamation proceedings against them.

The parents said they have sought an appointment with President Droupadi Murmu to raise their concerns, warning that if their demand is not met, they would sit on a hunger strike outside the Uttarakhand chief minister’s office at the Secretariat in Dehradun.

The Uttarakhand Congress has claimed that Gautam’s appointment was aimed at shielding him, arguing that a governor cannot be subjected to criminal proceedings while holding office.

‘Won’t accept lame excuses’: SC pulls up ECI over missing 2023 Sringeri vote-counting video

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (October 14) pulled up the Election Commission of India (ECI) for claiming it was unable to trace the video recording of the vote counting held in Karnataka's Sringeri Assembly constituency in 2023, warning that it could draw an adverse inference against the poll panel if it failed to produce the relevant records. Read the full story: ‘Won’t accept lame excuses’: SC pulls up ECI over missing 2023 Sringeri vote-counting video

Dhruv Rathee questions Delhi Police over alleged surveillance

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has questioned the Delhi Police over the alleged use of public funds for surveillance targeting him, asking the force to disclose how much taxpayer money is being spent on what he described as “illegal surveillance”.

In a post on X, Rathee tagged the Delhi Police and sought an estimate of the expenditure, challenging the alleged monitoring of him at public expense.

His remarks come amid reports that Delhi Police detained him at his residence on October 10. Rathee’s post raises questions over the alleged surveillance and the use of public money for such activities.

Raghav Chadha slams Opposition over EVM, SIR allegations

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Wednesday criticised the Opposition over its allegations concerning elections and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, accusing parties of blaming electoral processes for their defeats.

In a post on X, Chadha referred to repeated Opposition claims involving electronic voting machines (EVMs), voter lists and the SIR exercise.

“Sometimes EVMs, sometimes voter lists, sometimes SIR... Making excuses after one's defeat is very easy. Blaming others for losing an election due to one's own failure achieves nothing,” he wrote.

Chadha also referred to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks directed at Opposition parties, urging people to listen to the questions he had raised.

“Amit Shah ji has asked some tough questions of the country's opposition. Do listen to them,” Chadha added.

Supriya Sule urges Amit Shah to release jailed CJP leaders

NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule on Wednesday urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene and secure the immediate release of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, stressing that peaceful protest is a democratic right.

In a post on X, the Baramati MP said displaying the national flag at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar should not be treated as a crime. She also called for solidarity across political lines in defence of peaceful dissent.

"Deeply concerned by the arrest of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka and their transfer to Tihar Jail. I request @HMOIndia to intervene and ensure their immediate release. Regardless of political differences, we must stand together to uphold the right to peaceful protest. Dissent is an essential part of democracy, and every Indian must be free to raise their voice without fear," Sule wrote.

Ranka and Das were sent to five-day judicial custody and lodged in Tihar Jail on Wednesday. Police alleged that they breached barricades and entered Jantar Mantar, which has been de-notified as a protest site, on Tuesday.

The two leaders and other CJP members allegedly raised slogans demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and unfurled the national flag at the site.

Sources said the leaders were booked on charges including trespassing, violating prohibitory orders, breaching peace bonds and obstructing a public servant from discharging official duties.

Prakash Raj questions arrest of CJP leaders over Tricolour protest

Actor Prakash Raj has criticised the five-day judicial custody of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, questioning their arrest for unfurling the national flag at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

“Delhi's peace was not disturbed by Ashutosh and Saurav waving the national flag...yet they were arrested,” Raj said, raising questions over the police action against the two leaders.

He also alleged that no action had been taken against those accused of attacking protesters, while “the BJP released goons from prison onto the streets”.

Watch | Capital Beat: Rahul backs CJP leaders; bigger Opposition alliance coming up?

Rahul Gandhi calls the five-day judicial custody of CJP co-conveners Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das an “act of cowardice”. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke thanks Rahul, alleging an “unofficial Emergency”.

With Rahul and AISA president Neha Bora stressing that all protests are one and there is a common enemy, is Rahul opening the door to a broader Opposition coalition? Will CJP join forces with Rahul? Watch The Federal in conversation with a panel of experts on Capital Beat, the daily news show on YouTube. 

CJP founder Dipke calls for Tricolour protest on October 16

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has called on people to gather at Central Park in Connaught Place, Delhi, on October 16 to protest the arrest of party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.

In a video posted on X, Dipke said the two leaders were jailed for unfurling the national flag at Jantar Mantar, which is no longer a designated protest site.

Urging people he described as patriots to join the gathering, Dipke asked them to carry the Tricolour and assemble at Central Park at 5 pm on October 16.

He said the protest would assert that “waving a Tricolour is not a crime”.

Youth Congress moves Delhi HC over Jantar Mantar protest ban

The Indian Youth Congress has approached the Delhi High Court challenging the Delhi Police’s decision to de-notify Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, LiveLaw reported.

The move comes amid continued restrictions on marches towards the central Delhi venue, which has been a focal point of protests over recent days.