Delhi Police Files 3 FIRs Over Jantar Mantar Protest: Who Was Named?
Two FIRs were filed at the Parliament Street Police Station and one at the Connaught Place Police Station under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
By Sakshi
New Delhi, October 3: The Delhi Police on Saturday filed at least three FIRs (First Information Reports) in connection with Friday’s demonstrations by student organisations, political parties and civil society activists who attempted to gather at Jantar Mantar in the national capital to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
A senior police official said two FIRs were filed at the Parliament Street Police Station and one at the Connaught Place Police Station under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with disobedience of an order duly promulgated by a public servant. No individual or organisation has been named as an accused in the FIRs. However, details of the organisers and organisations that proposed or participated in the demonstrations have been mentioned in the FIRs, the officer said.
Protests Held Despite Prohibitory Orders
Students, political leaders and civil society activists attempted to march towards Jantar Mantar on Friday to demand Kumar’s resignation over allegations related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The FIRs do not detail the Election Commission’s position or responses to the allegations.
According to police, the demonstrators violated prohibitory orders issued across the New Delhi district under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The orders were issued ahead of the demonstration to maintain public order, ensure public safety and facilitate smooth traffic movement. Under Section 163, gatherings of five or more people, processions, demonstrations, picketing, dharnas, slogan-shouting and speeches were prohibited without prior written permission.
The carrying of firearms, banners, placards, lathis, swords, sticks, brickbats and similar articles was also prohibited. Police had publicly notified the restrictions nearly three hours before the proposed protest on Friday morning and warned that violations would invite action under Section 223 of the BNS and other applicable provisions.
What Does Section 223 of BNS Say?
Section 223 provides for imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to Rs 2,500, or both, for disobedience of an order duly promulgated by a public servant. If such disobedience causes or tends to cause danger to human life, health or safety, or causes or tends to cause a riot or affray, the punishment can extend to one year, a fine of up to Rs 5,000, or both, according to police.
Nearly 1,000 Detained During Protest
Nearly 1,000 people were detained from Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas as police and paramilitary personnel prevented large groups from reaching the protest site. Many of those detained were subsequently released. Those detained included AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi, Sanjay Singh, Kuldeep Kumar, Jarnail Singh and Sanjeev Jha; AISA national president Neha Bora; civil society activist Yogendra Yadav; RJD MP Manoj Jha; CPI Rajya Sabha MP P Sandesh; Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib; NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar; and DYFI national president A A Rahim.
Several detainees were taken to different police stations, including Fatehpur Beri, Dwarka Sector 23, Karawal Nagar and Badarpur.
Atishi, Anurag Dhanda and Kuldeep Kumar were taken to Fatehpur Beri, while Sanjay Singh, Bharadwaj and Sanjeev Jha were taken to Dwarka Sector 23, according to details of the police action.
(With PTI Inputs)
