Delhi Police have stepped up security across the capital to prevent planned protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, denying permission for the demonstration, closing Metro stations, detaining youth and student leaders and setting up barricades at key locations.

Despite the measures, youth protesters have signalled their determination to go ahead with the protest on Saturday.

Police personnel have been conducting checks at several locations, particularly targeting young people, while also stopping vehicles for inspection. Roads leading to Jantar Mantar have been blocked, with a heavy presence of Delhi Police and the Central Reserve Police Force, including personnel carrying tear gas.

Young people were detained at Connaught Place at around 8:30 am on Saturday, according to Jahnavi Sen, managing editor of The Wire.

Airport barricaded ahead of CJP leaders’ arrival

The entry gate at Delhi airport was barricaded ahead of the arrival of Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke and co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.

Dipke had announced on Friday that he would arrive in Delhi at 9:30 am on Saturday. Police continued conducting checks as protesters prepared to gather in the capital.

Home ministry directs states to prevent mobilisation

The Union home ministry on October 9 asked all states and Union Territories to coordinate with Delhi Police and take preventive steps to stop protesters from mobilising towards the national capital on Saturday, The Hindu reported.

In a communication to chief secretaries and directors general of police, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan warned of the “grave law and order and public order implications” of the proposed protest.

Reports of detentions and house arrests of young leaders in different parts of India emerged ahead of the demonstration.

Metro closures challenged in Supreme Court

A contempt petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Saturday alleging that the closure of several Delhi Metro stations violated the court’s direction against a complete shutdown of transport services, LiveLaw reported.

The petition names Govind Mohan, secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs; Anurag Kumar, Delhi Police commissioner; and D Thara, chairperson of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

Bengal activist detained again

Authorities detained Abdul Hafiz, a CJP activist from West Bengal, again ahead of the planned protests.

Hafiz’s father was killed by men claiming to be Bharatiya Janata Party workers after he visited a school as part of the campaign to improve schools, known as School Thik Karo.

Hafiz and five others were detained and taken to Bankura Borjorah Police Station.

Rahul Gandhi raises electoral concerns with President

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he had attended an “unbelievable meeting” with the President of India, where opposition leaders submitted a memorandum seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The memorandum accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of the “gross subversion” of India’s electoral system.

Gandhi said he was surprised that the President had not denied allegations of “Vote Chori”, or vote theft, and had instead asked the opposition to provide evidence.

“We will bring her a mountain of it,” Gandhi said, adding that the INDIA bloc was prepared to submit all its evidence.

He welcomed the President’s assurance that she would examine the matter and take action.

‘For how long will you stop the trains?’

CJP spokesperson Saurav Das criticised the transport disruption in response to a video showing young people mobilising to meet in Allahabad.

“Exactly what we are talking about. For how long will you stop the trains? Or the flights? Or the buses?” Das wrote on X.

“The government has not just ensured entire Delhi becomes Jantar Mantar but entire India does,” he added.

“All that protesters are asking is that they be heard!”

Lawyers offer free legal aid to peaceful protesters

More than 100 lawyers associated with the Lawyers' Association for Constitution grouping have pledged to provide free legal assistance to peaceful protesters who face wrongful action by the administration or police.

“Peaceful protesters should not be left without legal support when they face injustice. Our collective effort is to ensure that access to legal assistance does not depend on a person’s financial means,” the association said on Friday.

Its members include senior advocates practising in the Supreme Court and various high courts.

The planned protest centres on demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations concerning the integrity of India’s electoral system. The government has rejected claims that its regulatory and administrative processes are being applied unfairly.

Originally published as live updates by The Wire.