Delhi High Court Reviews Police Crackdown on Election Protests

The Delhi High Court is reviewing the legality of police actions following a crackdown on protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. On October 12, the court questioned the Delhi Police regarding the detention of activist Nadeem Khan, who was allegedly confined at his home and office on September 29 to prevent him from joining demonstrations over alleged irregularities in the electoral roll's Special Intensive Revision.

While police lawyers argued that Khan was not detained but merely denied permission to protest, Khan's legal team asserted he has faced constant surveillance and harassment. This case follows a broader security operation in which approximately 7,700 people were detained over two days. In response to these mass arrests and accompanying service disruptions, the Supreme Court of India ruled on October 11 that peaceful protesters cannot be detained except through established legal procedures and ordered the restoration of internet and transport services.

Simultaneously, the Delhi High Court deferred a hearing on a plea filed by the Indian Youth Congress, led by national president Uday Bhanu Chib. The organization is challenging an October 1 police order that denied permission for a peaceful protest of 100-150 people at Jantar Mantar. The Indian Youth Congress claims the denial was a "mechanical refusal" that infringes upon constitutional rights to freedom of speech and assembly. The court granted the Delhi Police additional time to respond, rescheduling the hearing for October 13.