Section 163 restrictions imposed as protesters raise allegations over electoral-roll revision
GTNS | NEW DELHI | OCTOBER 2, 2026
New Delhi witnessed heightened security on Gandhi Jayanti as police imposed restrictions across the New Delhi district ahead of a planned demonstration at Jantar Mantar concerning the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Delhi Police denied permission for the proposed gathering and invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), restricting unauthorised assemblies, processions and demonstrations. Officials also issued traffic advisories for several roads around central Delhi.
The proposed protest was directed at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission over allegations concerning the SIR exercise. These allegations have been raised by opposition leaders and civil-society groups; they remain contested, and the Election Commission has rejected claims of wrongdoing.
Security personnel were deployed at key points around Jantar Mantar and other sensitive locations. Barricades and additional police and Central Armed Police Forces were positioned to prevent an unauthorised gathering.
The restrictions also affected public movement. Several Metro stations in central Delhi faced temporary entry and exit restrictions, while traffic diversions were introduced around areas including Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, Parliament Street and Jantar Mantar Road.
Despite the restrictions, groups of protesters attempted to gather in the area. Multiple reports said several hundred people were detained by police as authorities sought to enforce the prohibitory orders.
The dispute centres on the wider debate surrounding electoral-roll verification under the SIR process. Critics have questioned whether the exercise could result in eligible voters being left off electoral rolls, while authorities have maintained that electoral-roll revision is part of the statutory election process.
The developments in Delhi have therefore brought two issues into focus simultaneously — the conduct and scrutiny of electoral-roll revision, and the limits placed on public demonstrations in a high-security administrative zone.
With political groups continuing to debate the SIR process, the Jantar Mantar episode has added another layer to the broader national discussion over voter-list verification and the functioning of the Election Commission.