Delhi Police continued detaining protesters on Sunday, hours after the Supreme Court ordered that people assembling peacefully must not be detained except in accordance with the law. The fresh police action came amid renewed scrutiny of restrictions imposed across the capital. Around 100 people were reportedly taken away in two buses as demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resumed.
Protesters taken away in buses as police maintain presence
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court on Sunday that Metro trains had continued operating on their normal Saturday schedule despite restrictions on access to stations. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released on Sunday after being produced before an Executive Magistrate. The report also described a man being pulled out of a burger outlet on suspicion of participating in the protest. The officers eventually let him go. Sunday’s hearing followed Saturday’s operation to prevent CJP supporters from reaching Jantar Mantar. Train services and mobile internet were also disrupted. Four men claiming links to a right-wing group were arrested in a separate case concerning alleged attacks on protesters.
Around 100 protesters were put into two buses and taken away from the area, according to a Hindustan Times report. Delhi Police denied permission for the demonstration, saying the organisers had not submitted their application at least 10 days in advance and citing security concerns. Entry and exit restrictions were imposed at 45 Metro stations on Saturday before the gates reopened later that night. By Sunday, 20 FIRs had been registered in connection with the protests, including cases involving allegations of assault on police personnel and obstruction of public servants. Delhi Police said they had been preventively arrested under Sections 126 and 170 of the BNSS and had furnished surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each, undertaking to maintain peace and good behaviour for one year.
In a video of the encounter, he told the police that he had merely been standing there and refused to accompany them.
