Ahead of a proposed Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10, Delhi Police issued an open letter to citizens via social media. The letter, signed 'With Care, Delhi Police,' emphasized that citizens have the right to voice their opinions and that police are responsible for their safety. It contained the Hindi quote, "आपकी आवाज आपक़ हक ह़ै और आपक़ सुरुक्षा हमारा फ़रज़।", reinforcing the idea that expressing views is a protected right while law enforcement ensures public welfare. The message set a tone of engagement even as authorities moved to block the planned gathering.
The CJP had announced its intention to hold a protest on October 10 at Jantar Mantar. The demonstration was linked to demands for the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation and broader electoral reforms. The planned date and location were clearly communicated to the police through a formal application.
Delhi Police ultimately denied permission for the CJP protest. The refusal was not based on the substance of the demonstrators’ demands but on procedural shortcomings. Joint Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad explained that the application was received on October 7 for an October 10 event, which violated the required ten‑day advance notice period. Previous protests had also failed to meet police conditions, reinforcing a pattern of non‑compliance that influenced the decision.
The aim was to prevent large crowds from gathering near the protest site and to facilitate crowd control.
In response to the denied protest and the perceived risk of unrest, Delhi Police tightened security across New Delhi. The authority invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to bolster preventive measures. The invocation of Section 163 of the BNSS contributed to tightened security in New Delhi.
As part of the security preparations, police approached the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) with a request to close the entrances and exits of fifty‑seven metro stations. The aim was to prevent large crowds from gathering near the protest site and to facilitate crowd control. The police requested DMRC to close entrances and exits of 57 metro stations, while DMRC's final decision on this request remains pending.
Joint Commissioner Nupur Prasad provided the factual timeline that underpinned the police stance. She stated that the CJP submitted its protest application on October 7, seeking permission for an October 10 event. Because the notice fell short of the mandated ten days, the application could not be processed in accordance with existing rules. Her comments also referenced earlier instances where protesters had not adhered to stipulated conditions, suggesting that the denial was consistent with past enforcement.
With the protest barred and the legal notice invoked, Delhi Police rolled out a series of security arrangements. Overall security in the capital was heightened as part of the police response. The combination of the BNSS provision, the metro‑station request, and the general advisory to citizens reflects a coordinated effort to manage potential public assemblies while upholding the stated commitment to safety.
At present, the Cockroach Janata Party’s October 10 demonstration at Jantar Mantar will not proceed as originally planned, having been blocked on procedural grounds. The status of the DMRC’s response to the request for station closures is noted as unresolved, and the invocation of Section 163 of the BNSS indicates that preventive legal tools remain in effect. The episode illustrates how procedural requirements, security assessments, and public communication intersect when authorities contemplate allowing or restricting a planned protest.