Delhi Face-Off: Electoral Roll Row Sparks Mass Detentions, Protests & SC Action
A major political face-off has erupted in Delhi following allegations of irregularities in electoral rolls, triggering street protests, heavy security deployment, and mass detentions across the national capital. The Supreme Court intervened for a second time, directing authorities to review barricading, restore internet connectivity, avoid blanket public transport shutdowns, and prevent unwarranted curbs on public movement. Left student organisations, including the Students' Federation of India and All India Students' Association, staged demonstrations at Connaught Place, where several protesters and Communist Party Member of Parliament John Brittas were detained by police and paramilitary personnel. Meanwhile, leaders linked to the protests secured conditional release after furnishing surety bonds requiring peace and good behaviour for one year. The government defended the security curbs as necessary measures to prevent law and order issues following prohibitory orders, while opposition leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Arvind Kejriwal accused authorities of stifling dissent.