Delhi Placed Under Tight Security Ahead of Opposition March

NEW DELHI, Oct 12: Delhi remained on high alert for the third consecutive day on Monday, with more than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed across the national capital ahead of an opposition march to the Supreme Court over allegations of electoral irregularities and demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

The heightened security follows a weekend of protests against Kumar, during which police detained thousands of demonstrators, including leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party and several former chief ministers.

Opposition parties announced on October 11 that they would march towards the Supreme Court on Monday as part of their campaign against alleged “vote chori” and to press for the removal of the chief election commissioner.

In view of the planned demonstration, entry and exit gates at six Delhi Metro stations will remain closed until 4 pm, while security arrangements have been strengthened across the city.

Delhi Police officials said additional personnel had been deployed at sensitive locations, including railway stations, bus terminals and the capital’s borders, to prevent unauthorised gatherings and maintain public order.

Vehicle inspections have been intensified at entry points into the city. Police teams are also conducting verification drives at hotels, guest houses, lodges and dharamshalas to identify potential security concerns, officials added.

More than 120 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed to assist Delhi Police in managing the situation.

For effective coordination, the New Delhi district has been divided into 20 security zones. Joint commissioners, deputy commissioners and additional deputy commissioners are supervising arrangements and monitoring developments in their respective areas.

Special commissioners overseeing various police units are also maintaining a close watch on the situation, officials said.

Authorities have stepped up monitoring of social media platforms to identify attempts to mobilise crowds or organise gatherings that could affect law and order.

The opposition’s campaign against Kumar has intensified following a report by The Indian Express alleging differences within the Election Commission. According to the report, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded objections on at least 14 occasions over the preceding 10 months, including in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The report has added to the political controversy surrounding the functioning of the poll body and its handling of electoral processes.

Opposition parties have been demanding greater transparency and accountability in election-related decisions, while their proposed march represents a further escalation of the campaign.

Security agencies are continuing to assess the situation, with police maintaining a heightened presence at key locations across Delhi as authorities prepare for the demonstration.

Officials said the arrangements were intended to prevent disturbances, regulate crowds and ensure that public movement and essential services were not unnecessarily disrupted during the protest.