Delhi Police denies protest permission as section 163 continues in New Delhi
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New Delhi: Delhi Police on Saturday said prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, remain in force across the New Delhi district and that no permission has been granted for any protest scheduled for the day.
The restrictions were imposed ahead of Friday’s proposed demonstration at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Nearly 1,000 people were detained during Friday’s protests as participants attempted to reach the designated protest site.
In a post on X, the DCP New Delhi said Section 163 remained in force to maintain public safety, public order and smooth traffic movement. The order prohibits unauthorised gatherings, public speeches, sloganeering, processions, demonstrations and dharnas, among other activities.
The police also said no permission had been granted for any protest on October 3 and that the New Delhi district police had not received prior information about any such event. Citizens were asked to comply with the restrictions, with violations liable to legal action.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police has registered at least three FIRs over Friday’s protests. Two cases were registered at Parliament Street police station and one at Connaught Place police station under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), concerning disobedience of an order promulgated by a public servant.
Police said no individual or organisation has been named as an accused in the FIRs. However, details of organisers and organisations that proposed or participated in the demonstrations have been included in the cases.
On Friday, police detained more than 1,000 protesters, including political leaders, students and activists, as they tried to cross barricades and proceed towards Jantar Mantar. Several detainees were later released.
The protests involved political parties and student and youth organisations, with participants seeking Kumar’s resignation over allegations concerning the SIR exercise and deletion of names from electoral rolls.
With IANS inputs