AISA chief Neha Bora being detained by the police during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, at Mandi House, in New Delhi, on Friday. PTI
Tiranga march LIVE: Dipke, Neha Bora detained; flash protests in New Delhi
CPJ, other youth activists join flag march in Delhi demanding rollback of SIR, resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Tricolours in hand and raising slogans of “Jai Hind”, hundreds of supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and members of student organisations held a series of flash protests in central Delhi on Friday evening (October 16) after police denied permission for the party's “Lehra Do Tiranga” march at Connaught Place.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and AISA president Neha Bora were among the around 150 protesters detained by Delhi Police. The detentions drew sharp attacks from the opposition, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi backing the protesting students, while the BJP-led central government called the protest an attempt to bring about a regime change by "using" young people to spread "anarchy".
The protesters walked through the inner circle of Connaught Place, intermittently raising the slogan of 'Jai Hind' before dispersing and regrouping at different spots. Some also sang the national anthem.
Students and members of the All India Students' Association (AISA) protested at Mandi House, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, rollback of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and withdrawal of the 2023 Election Commissioner Appointment Act.
Minor altercations broke out between the protesters and police as the latter attempted to disperse the crowd.
Dipke and Bora were preventively detained by Delhi Police while on their way to participate in the protests, with the CJP leader headed to Connaught Place and the AISA chief to Mandi House.
While Dipke was picked up from his residence in Jhandewalan, Bora was detained at Mandi House. The detentions triggered scenes of jostling among crowds, camera crews, and security personnel.
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Live Updates
- 16 Oct 2026 11:08 AM IST
Elaborate security arrangement ahead of the march
More than 6,000 Delhi Police personnel, 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces and an expanded CCTV camera network have been pressed into service in the New Delhi area ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at the Central Park in Connaught Place.
The elaborate security arrangements cover Connaught Place, Rajiv Chowk, Central Park, Jantar Mantar, Palika Bazaar, nearby Metro stations and other sensitive locations in Lutyens' Delhi, with additional personnel being mobilised from other districts to prevent any law-and-order situation during the proposed march at 5 pm.
Police have also positioned barricades at several points, including Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, ITO and Sansad Marg.
Officers said the focus is on securing multiple entry and exit points in the sprawling commercial district without bringing public movement to a standstill.
A senior police officer said that 5,000 additional personnel have been reserved from other districts to bolster the deployment.
The arrangements are being coordinated with the deployment of 220 CAPF companies earmarked for New Delhi, which will also cover adjoining districts, border areas and other important locations.
- 16 Oct 2026 10:37 AM IST
Senior counsel Gopal Sankaranarayanan withdraws from Delhi protest cases before SC
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan has stepped away from seven cases linked to protests in Delhi that are pending before the Supreme Court, citing disorder during Thursday (October 15)’s hearing, when he faced repeated interruptions and his microphone was allegedly snatched.
The hearing, conducted by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, covered around 46 petitions. The cases dealt with allegations of police excesses, illegal detentions, curbs on public movement, press freedom and the removal of Jantar Mantar’s status as a designated protest venue.
Sankaranarayanan said the Bench had failed to maintain control over the proceedings. “The bench failed to control the court. I cannot continue like this. Dignity of the court is more important,” he said.
The senior counsel also objected to the manner in which petitions were taken up, alleging that the proceedings did not follow their listed serial order. He said maintaining the Supreme Court’s dignity and decorum mattered more than continuing to appear in the cases.
- 16 Oct 2026 10:33 AM IST
SC puts Sanjay Raut’s role in SIR case on hold over CJI remarks
The Supreme Court has made Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut’s role in a challenge to the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conditional on his explaining his recent remarks against Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and other judges.
A bench headed by the CJI and comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi said Raut’s participation in the case, brought by Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders, would be considered subject to his explanation.
Raut is among the six petitioners questioning the Election Commission’s decisions relating to the revision of electoral rolls.
Separately, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has approached the court seeking contempt action against Raut and journalist Nikhil Wagle over their respective comments concerning the CJI.
The dispute stems from the CJI’s decision not to meet Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who had sought discussions on alleged electoral irregularities and the Election Commission’s functioning.
- 16 Oct 2026 8:53 AM IST
Traffic curbs issued in central Delhi
Traffic movement across several key stretches in central Delhi will be affected on Friday ahead of the CJP's proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at the Central Park in Connaught Place, with commuters advised to avoid select routes.
According to an advisory issued by the Delhi Traffic Police, traffic movement on roads in and around Connaught Place may be affected from 3 pm onwards.
The stretches include Sansad Marg, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg, Panchkuian Road, Basant Lane, Chelmsford Road, Minto Road, Barakhamba Road, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Janpath, Rail Bhawan, Rafi Marg, the 'C' Hexagon, Mandi House, Patel Chowk, Windsor Place, Gole Dak Khana, Ashok Road (from GPO to the 'C' Hexagon), Tilak Marg, Tolstoy Marg and Sikandra Road.
The traffic police said dynamic diversions would be implemented depending on the prevailing situation, and advised commuters to plan their journey allowing extra travel time and use public transport wherever possible.
Section 163 of the BNSS, prohibiting mass gatherings, is in force in the area to maintain peace and protect human lives as well as public and private property, police said.
- 16 Oct 2026 8:45 AM IST
Tiranga march: Security personnel deployed in Delhi
Security personnel deployed ahead of CJP's Tiranga march in Delhi.
