New Delhi: Central Delhi transformed into a heavily fortified zone with multi-layered barricades and massive security deployments after a protest call by the Caucus Janata Party demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Authorities mobilised approximately 20,000 security personnel, drawing from the Delhi Police, Central Armed Police Forces, Rapid Action Force, and Sashastra Seema Bal to secure sensitive areas, with 6,500 officers stationed specifically around Jantar Mantar.
Several prominent political figures and commentators faced preventive detention. Key leaders such as Abhijeet Deepke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka were taken into custody upon their arrival at Delhi Airport, while content creator Dhruv Rathee was detained with the assistance of Gurugram Police. Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee was also detained alongside party members of Parliament, including Dola Sen, Derek O'Brien, and Saket Gokhale. While held inside a police detention van, Banerjee staged a silent, symbolic protest by placing a band-aid over her mouth to highlight the suppression of political dissent and what she described as an illegal detention.
The clampdown caused major disruptions across the capital region. Authorities closed numerous metro stations, restricted mobile internet services within a four-kilometre radius, established twelve temporary detention centres, and blocked major thoroughfares leading to Jantar Mantar, including the Mandi House roundabout, Feroz Shah Road, and Janpath. Law enforcement personnel equipped with body-worn cameras and CCTV monitoring systems conducted thorough checks on commuters and vehicles at critical entry points like ITO to avert unauthorized gatherings. These stringent measures follow a succession of daily demonstrations staged by opposition groups across central Delhi since October 6, which included sit-ins and marches originating from landmarks such as Connaught Place and Raj Ghat.