Delhi Police has registered at least three FIRs in connection with the Jantar Mantar protest called on Friday demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. These cases have been registered in Parliament Street and Connaught Place police stations. This demonstration took place at the behest of student organizations, political parties and social workers. People took to the streets against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list and demanded the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar.
According to officials, the FIR was registered on the basis of daily diary entries of policemen. These cases are under section 223 of the Indian Judicial Code (BNS). This section is related to disobeying the order of a public servant. An officer said that there is no name of any person or organization in the column of suspects or accused in the FIR.
The organizations that proposed the protest and were involved in it are mentioned in the details of the FIR. Whether other sections of BNS or other laws are involved in the FIR is also not yet public. The administration had imposed prohibitory orders within a radius of 5 kilometers of Jantar Mantar. The protesters are now accused of violating sections of the Indian Civil Defense Code.
Also read: Congressmen were sitting ready to go to Jantar Mantar, but could not move ahead from the office.
Violation of section 163 became the basis of the case
According to a report of Hindustan Times, protesters gathered in large numbers at Jantar Mantar. With this he broke the prohibitory order already imposed in Central Delhi. This prohibitory order was imposed under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS). Delhi Police had given this information on social media about three hours before the proposed demonstration on Friday morning.
What was the police order?
Police said that this order has been imposed for public safety, law and order and traffic. Under the order, gathering of 5 or more people, procession, demonstration, dharna, sloganeering and speech was prohibited without written permission. Carrying things like weapons, banners, placards, sticks and rods was also prohibited. Police had said that action would be taken against the violation under Section 223 of BNS and other laws.
What action can be taken in these cases?
According to Supreme Court Advocate Shubham Gupta, if proven guilty under Section 223 of BNS, the punishment can be simple imprisonment up to six months, fine up to Rs 2,500 or both. If disobedience of the order endangers human life, health or safety or leads to riot-like situation, the punishment may be imprisonment up to one year, fine up to Rs 5,000 or both.
Also read: Jantar Mantar remains deserted without Gen Z! Protestors came, police took them away in buses
About 1,000 people in custody
According to Hindustan Times report, around 1,000 people were detained in Delhi while trying to reach Jantar Mantar on Friday. The protest was called at Jantar Mantar at 11 am. It was called by AAP, AISA, Students Federation of India i.e. SFI, NSUI, Indian Youth Congress and other student and youth organizations.
About 750 people were detained around Jantar Mantar. Around 400 people were detained in other parts of Delhi. In the morning about 200 people were put under house arrest. People detained from the streets were taken to different police stations in police buses.
CJP movement in Delhi on 10th October
Those detained include former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Atishi. AISA president Neha Bora and Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav were also detained. Apart from these, AAP leaders, social workers, members of leftist student organizations and Congress youth wing workers were also detained. More than 5,000 security personnel were deployed in and around Jantar Mantar to prevent the protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar. Cockroach Janata Party has announced that protests will be held in Delhi on October 10.