Protests LIVE | CJP says ‘State at war with citizens’; Rahul invites all to SC march tomorrow
CJP-led agitations demanding SIR rollback and resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar enter Day 2; leaders say country being “pushed towards civil war-like situation”
Despite the Supreme Court's direction on Sunday (October 11) that people gathering peacefully should not be illegally detained, crackdowns continued in Delhi, with CPM Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas being detained along with Left political and student leaders, and allegedly driven around in a prison van through the national capital. Brittas was allegedly pushed off the vehicle at one point and he was found in a visibly distressed state.
In the afternoon, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) held a Press conference, with its leaders asking why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "desperate to protect" Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. "What does he know about the 2024 Lok Sabha elections or other polls that BJP won that you have to protect him?" remarked CJP leader Saurav Das.
The pressure group remarked that the "State was at war with its citizens" and that it had "created a civil war-like situation". They gave CEC Kumar 48 hours to resign, after which they would launch an indefinite sit-in and a nationwide “Election Commission Thik Karo” campaign. Leader Ashutosh Ranka said the movement would expand its focus to Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
In the morning, the apex court issued a notice to the Centre on a plea seeking contempt proceedings for alleged violation of the court's direction to ensure that there is no "complete prohibition" on Metro and train services in Delhi due to the CJP protest.
In a special sitting, a bench of justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure that Delhi Metro functions as per its normal schedule, and that there is no disruption to internet services, subject to law and order conditions. The apex court also asked Mehta to ensure that lawyers, journalists and others are not impeded in discharging their professional duties.
The CJP and Opposition parties have been demanding the resignation of CEC Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls. CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, who were put under preventive arrest following their detention yesterday at the Delhi airport ahead of the Jantar Mantar protest, were released on Sunday morning after being produced before an executive magistrate.
They were released on condition that they would not "breach peace" for a year, CJP legal affairs head Ratna Singh said.
Scroll below for Live updates
Live Updates
- 11 Oct 2026 11:15 AM IST
Kapil Sibal thanks Supreme Court for special sitting amid pleas
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal told the Supreme Court that the petition contained several prayers extending beyond the issue of contempt, while thanking the bench for holding a special sitting.
“There are several prayers, which we find at page 23, which are much larger matters than the issue of contempt. But we must first thank you for this extraordinary sitting, that you have been kind enough to come,” Sibal said as quoted by the Bar and Bench.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi responded that the bench did not expect any thanks.
“There is nothing to thank us,” Justice Bagchi said.
When Sibal reiterated his gratitude for the special sitting, Justice Bagchi said the court was always ready to serve the country.
“We are always at the service of the nation,” the judge said.
Justice Bagchi also noted that a habeas corpus petition had already been filed by Dr. Maneka Guruswamy. Sibal agreed, saying, “That's correct.”
- 11 Oct 2026 11:11 AM IST
Supreme Court to hear contempt plea over Delhi transit closures on Monday
Senior Advocate K.K. Venugopal has sought the issuance of a rule of contempt over the closure of transit services in Delhi.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the matter would be posted for Monday, October 12, 2026. On Venugopal’s request to issue notice, Justice Bagchi said the bench would take up the question after hearing Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, reported The Hindu.
The judge said the court could either list Venugopal’s plea as a fresh matter or tag it with the other petitions already before it.
- 11 Oct 2026 11:06 AM IST
Supreme Court weighs listing of contempt plea on Monday
Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked Senior Advocate KK Venugopal whether he was seeking the issuance of a contempt rule.
“Yes,” Venugopal replied.
Justice Bagchi said a similar petition was already before the court and could be listed on Monday. He said the bench would return to the matter after hearing the Solicitor General and would seek a response before deciding how to proceed.
“We would like a response and a posting of the matter,” Justice Bagchi said as quoted by the Bar and Bench.
The judge then offered two options for the petition’s listing: it could be taken up as a fresh matter on Monday, or it could be tagged with the other petition after the court heard that matter and issued directions.
“One, we post this matter as a fresh matter on Monday, or when we hear the other listed matter and whatever directions we pass, we combine your matter to be tagged with that matter,” he said.
- 11 Oct 2026 11:02 AM IST
Supreme Court offers lawyers chance to mention detention pleas
Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana have commenced the hearing on the pleas challenging mass detentions and the Delhi transit shutdown.
Justice Bagchi said the bench was aware that several lawyers, including young advocates, wanted to make unlisted mentions. He said the court did not want the large gathering to inconvenience lawyers or deprive anyone of a hearing.
“We understand that there are a number of lawyers, including many youngsters, who wish to make unlisted mentions,” Justice Bagchi said as quoted by the Bar and Bench.
He explained that the bench would hear the lawyers in an orderly manner, moving from right to left to give everyone an opportunity to speak.
“So what we propose to do is to call from the right to the left and give everyone an opportunity,” he said.
The judge added that lawyers making oral mentions would be asked to take up the two matters before the court.
- 11 Oct 2026 10:58 AM IST
Supreme Court begins hearing on mass detentions, transit shutdown
The Supreme Court has begun a special hearing on petitions challenging mass detentions and the shutdown of Delhi’s transit services, reported The Hindu.
- 11 Oct 2026 10:55 AM IST
Bench to assemble shortly as virtual hearing opens to lawyers
The bench is expected to assemble shortly, and access to the virtual meeting has been granted. Senior Advocates Sanjay Hegde and Shadan Farasat are also appearing for the petitioners.
- 11 Oct 2026 10:50 AM IST
Tushar Mehta joins hearing as senior lawyers represent petitioners
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has joined the proceedings along with senior Delhi Police officers. Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal, Gopal Sankaranaraynan and Menaka Guruswamy, along with advocate Vrinda Grover, are expected to argue for the petitioners. The Webex virtual hearing is at full capacity, reported Live Law.
- 11 Oct 2026 10:29 AM IST
Three CJP leaders released on condition of maintaining peace for a year
The Executive Magistrate’s court has released Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka on the condition that they maintain peace for one year, reported India Today.
- 11 Oct 2026 10:25 AM IST
Bhagwant Mann slams Delhi Police over Bangla Sahib entry
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has strongly condemned the Delhi Police’s alleged entry into Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib in the national capital on Saturday, accusing the force of disrespecting the sanctity of the Sikh place of worship.
In a post on X, Mann said the gurdwara had historically opened its doors to people in need and argued that young protesters seeking shelter would have been welcomed by the sevadars.
“History bears witness that the Guru's abode always keeps its doors open to provide shelter to the needy,” Mann wrote.
He added that the gurdwara’s tradition of offering refuge meant that protesters who entered the premises would have been given shelter.
Mann also criticised the conduct of police personnel, alleging they entered the gurdwara bareheaded and wearing boots.
“The BJP's Delhi police, with their Taliban-like attitude, entered Gurdwara Sahib bareheaded and wearing boots on their feet, and the dignity of the Guru's house was trampled by them,” he said.
The Punjab chief minister said the incident had hurt the Sikh community and warned that it would not be forgotten.
“The Sikh community will never forgive the BJP for this shameful act,” Mann wrote.
- 11 Oct 2026 10:19 AM IST
‘Cockroaches never die’: CJP after relese of leaders
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has announced that its leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das will be released after being detained ahead of the party’s planned protest in Delhi.
“Finally Delhi Police is forced to release Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das,” the party said in a social media post.
The outfit added: “Cockroaches never die.”
