AAP Alleges Delhi Police Punched Protester as 700 Detained Near Jantar Mantar
Around 700 protesters, including top Aam Aadmi Party leaders, were detained across New Delhi on Friday during demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, as the party alleged that a police officer punched a detained young demonstrator in the face near Jantar Mantar.
The Aam Aadmi Party released a video on social media platform X showing the alleged assault, condemning the actions of the personnel on duty. In its post, the party stated that a Delhi Policeman was seen punching a non-violent detained GenZ protester in the face, calling the conduct completely unacceptable. The video was circulated amid escalating demonstrations over issues linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Delhi Police had denied permission for the gathering at Jantar Mantar and enforced prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita across the New Delhi district. Multiple barricades were erected to halt the march, and protesters were stopped at several key transit points, including Firoz Shah Road and Ashoka Road.
Among the approximately 700 people detained were senior AAP leaders Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Sanjeev Jha, alongside student and youth activists. The Delhi Metro closed entry and exit gates at several stations as part of security arrangements, while internet services were reportedly suspended in parts of central Delhi.
AAP leaders and participating groups maintained that their demonstration was entirely peaceful and condemned the police crackdown. Following her detention, All India Students' Association national president Neha Bora called on demonstrators to return to Jantar Mantar and resume the agitation.
Further demonstrations have already been announced over the electoral roll revisions. Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Citizens for Justice and Peace, said the organisation will march to the national capital on October 10 if Kumar does not step down, adding that the planned Jantar Mantar protest will be peaceful.
