The Delhi Police has asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to consider closing entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations ahead of the proposed October 10 protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The police have also proposed reducing train frequency at these stations amid concerns over crowd movement towards sensitive locations, reported ANI.
In a letter dated October 8, the Joint Commissioner of Police, Transport Range, asked DMRC to make the necessary arrangements in view of planned demonstrations at Jantar Mantar and other locations in the New Delhi district. The proposed restrictions are in place from 9 pm on Friday, October 9, to Saturday until the situation normalises.
The letter requests DMRC to issue directions to its officers and staff to implement the proposed measures. However, the communication itself does not confirm that the metro corporation has approved or implemented the restrictions.
Which metro stations could face restrictions?
The 57 stations identified in the police communication include several key stations across Delhi.
These include Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Janpath, New Delhi, Mandi House, ITO, Delhi Gate, Khan Market, Supreme Court, Indraprastha, INA, Hauz Khas, Lajpat Nagar, Kashmere Gate, Karol Bagh, Jama Masjid, Vishwavidyalaya, Seelampur, Shahdara, Welcome and Rithala.
Other stations on the list include Lok Kalyan Marg, Jor Bagh, Jangpura, Ashram, Jamia Millia Islamia, Okhla Vihar, Civil Lines, GTB Nagar, Adarsh Nagar, Jahangir Puri, Yamuna Vihar and Rohini West.
Also Read: Some early trains to New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin cancelled for Oct 10 due to CJP protests: Report
Why has Delhi Police proposed metro restrictions?
The proposed measures come ahead of a planned Cockroach Janata Party-AISA protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10. The demonstration has been called amid demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of “vote theft” and concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Delhi Police cited the possibility of unruly crowd movement towards sensitive locations as the reason for seeking precautionary measures at metro stations.
CJP activist alleges detentions ahead of protest
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged on X that several activists had been detained ahead of the protest. He said the alleged detentions won’t stop the planned demonstration and stated that he intended to march to Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police rejects CJP’s request to protest at Jantar Mantar
Delhi Police has refused permission to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) to hold a protest, citing the short notice, alleged non-compliance with conditions during an earlier demonstration and the prevailing law and order situation.
Joint Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad said the police had received an application from CJP co-convenor Saurav Das seeking permission to organise a protest demanding accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. She said the application was submitted too close to the proposed date, as the prescribed guidelines require the police to receive notice at least 10 days before a demonstration.
Prasad also alleged that the party had failed to follow lawful directions and honour its undertakings when it was previously granted permission to protest at the venue. She said the decision to deny permission also took into account public safety, traffic management and the prevailing law and order situation.
She said Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was in force in the New Delhi area, imposing preventive restrictions to maintain public order and safety. She warned that legal action would be taken against anyone violating the provisions.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Shrishti Pandey also said protests would not be permitted at Jantar Mantar or any other location while the restrictions remained in force. She cautioned that participating in unauthorised gatherings could have long-term legal consequences and urged people to follow the appropriate legal process to raise their concerns.
Dipke alleges Maharashtra Police pressuring activists
Abhijeet Dipke has alleged that Maharashtra Police are issuing notices to party activists and pressuring them not to attend the planned protest. Addressing a press conference in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Tuesday, Dipke claimed that Chandrapur police had served notices to CJP activists, asking them to stay away from the protest.
Dipke also criticised the BJP-led government over the slogan “One Nation, One Election”. He claimed that the idea was merely a slogan and alleged that the government’s actual intention was to establish “one nation, one political party”.
In a post on X, he alleged that Maharashtra Police were asking volunteers about their travel expenses and warning them that the protest could turn violent.
Questioning the basis for the warning, he asked whether there was already a plan to disrupt the party’s proposed peaceful demonstration.
Also Read: Delhi ahead of CJP protest: What’s open, what’s closed on October 10
