Delhi Police Files FIRs Over Opposition Protest Violations
Delhi Police has registered multiple FIRs under BNSS Section 163 following the INDIA bloc's protest march through the capital.
The Delhi Police has officially registered multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) against protesters following the recent demonstrations by the Opposition. The legal action involves alleged violations of prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Multiple Police Stations Involved
According to official statements from the Delhi Police on Tuesday, the legal proceedings are not limited to a single area. FIRs have been registered across several key locations in the capital, including:
- Connaught Place
- Tilak Marg
- Barakhamba
- Mandir Marg
The Context of the Protest
The unrest on Monday stemmed from a march led by the INDIA bloc, with prominent leaders including Rahul Gandhi participating. The marchers moved through Barakhamba Road towards the Supreme Court to voice their grievances.
The protest was triggered by a petition filed by 11 opposition leaders challenging the Election Commission of India's (ECI) ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The petitioners are seeking a judicial examination into how the poll panel implemented decisions regarding the revision of electoral rolls.
High-Profile Petitioners and Legal Hurdles
The legal battle in the Supreme Court involves a heavy-weight lineup of political figures, including:
- Rahul Gandhi
- Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress President)
- Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party Chief)
- Tejashwi Yadav (Rashtriya Janata Dal)
- Saugata Roy (TMC MP)
- Sanjay Raut (Shiv Sena UBT MP)
- Mahua Majhi (JMM MP)
- Supriya Sule (NCP MP)
- ET Mohammed Basheer (IUML MP)
- D Raja (CPI Leader)
- MA Baby (CPI(M) MP)
However, the Supreme Court Registry has flagged 14 defects in the writ petition. Notably, the Registry has asked the petitioners to clarify why private individuals—specifically Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners SS Sandhu and Vivek Joshi—have been named as respondents in a petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution.
"We Will Not Back Down"
Following the march, Rahul Gandhi expressed his gratitude to the opposition leaders for their solidarity. Addressing the media, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha emphasized that the movement was a unified front against perceived democratic threats.
"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," Gandhi stated. He further added that the opposition remains united in their fight against those he described as "killers of our Constitution."
Following the protests, Gandhi invited opposition MPs to his residence for a high tea on Tuesday to continue discussions regarding the ongoing political struggle.