Delhi Police Files FIRs After Opposition Protest March
Delhi Police has registered multiple FIRs following the INDIA bloc protest, citing barricade breaking and graffiti during the march led by Rahul Gandhi.
The Delhi Police has initiated legal action against participants of the recent opposition protest by registering multiple First Information Reports (FIRs). The police stated that the cases, filed at the Barakhamba Road and Tilak Marg police stations, involve allegations of breaking barricades and defacing roads with graffiti during the demonstration.
Chaos During the INDIA Bloc March
The protest took place on Monday when leaders and supporters of the INDIA bloc, led by Rahul Gandhi, marched through Barakhamba Road. The march was directed towards the Supreme Court as part of a massive demonstration against the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The demonstration was tied to a significant legal move where 11 opposition leaders filed a petition in the apex court. The group is challenging the Election Commission's decisions regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging irregularities in how the poll panel implemented its decisions.
Supreme Court Flags Defects in Petition
While the protest unfolded on the streets, the legal battle faced hurdles in the courtroom. The Supreme Court Registry has identified 14 defects in the writ petition submitted by the opposition leaders. The petition includes prominent figures such as:
- Rahul Gandhi
- Mallikarjun Kharge
- Akhilesh Yadav
- Tejashwi Yadav
- Saugata Roy
- Sanjay Raut
- MA Baby
- D Raja
- Mahua Majhi
- Supriya Sule
- ET Mohammed Basheer
A key point of contention raised by the Registry is the inclusion of private individuals as respondents. The court has sought clarification on why Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners SS Sandhu and Vivek Joshi were named in the petition, which was filed under Article 32 of the Constitution.
Rahul Gandhi Vows Continued Resistance
Despite the police action and legal technicalities, Rahul Gandhi has maintained a defiant stance. Following the march, he expressed gratitude to the opposition leaders for their solidarity and emphasized that the movement is a unified front against what he described as threats to the Constitution and democracy.
"We needed to show the government that the people of India are not going to be intimidated. You cannot beat us, threaten us, frighten us. We will not accept being bullied... Every single person is going to stand against these killers of our Constitution," said Rahul Gandhi.
In a move to maintain momentum, the Leader of the Opposition has invited opposition MPs to his residence for high tea on Tuesday, signaling that the INDIA bloc intends to continue its fight regarding the electoral roll revision process.