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25 FIRs filed since October 2 over anti-EC protests in Delhi; Rahul, Priyanka named

25 FIRs filed since October 2 over anti-EC protests in Delhi; Rahul, Priyanka named

Delhi Police registered 25 First Information Reports over protests against the Election Commission in New Delhi. The police alleged that some demonstrators damaged public property, confronted or assaulted police personnel, obstructed government work and violated prohibitory orders. The action matters because Section 163 of the BNSS was in force in New Delhi district. The protests took place at several locations in Lutyens Delhi. Congress demonstrators were demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Police said some protesters disrupted public order and took the law into their own hands. The FIRs were registered by Thursday and name several people, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Hundreds of protesters were detained during the demonstrations and later released. The police action places the allegations into a formal investigation, while the article does not report any convictions.

Based on reporting by Hindustan Times

What happened during the anti-Election Commission protests in Delhi, and why were 25 FIRs filed?

Delhi Police registered 25 First Information Reports over protests against the Election Commission in New Delhi. The police alleged that some demonstrators damaged public property, confronted or assaulted police personnel, obstructed government work and violated prohibitory orders. The action matters because Section 163 of the BNSS was in force in New Delhi district.

The protests took place at several locations in Lutyens Delhi. Congress demonstrators were demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Police said some protesters disrupted public order and took the law into their own hands.

The FIRs were registered by Thursday and name several people, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Hundreds of protesters were detained during the demonstrations and later released. The police action places the allegations into a formal investigation, while the article does not report any convictions.

How many FIRs were registered, how many people were detained, and over what period did the protests take place?

The police registered 25 FIRs in connection with the Delhi protests. The article does not give an exact detention count, saying instead that hundreds of protesters were detained and later released. This distinguishes the number of formal cases from the larger number of people temporarily held during demonstrations.

The protests were described as a series held since October 2, over roughly the following week. Since October 6, Congress had been staging demonstrations at several places in Lutyens Delhi. These protests focused on demands connected with the Election Commission and electoral-roll revision.

The 25 FIRs had been registered by Thursday, according to police. The article does not provide a precise calendar date for that Thursday. It does establish the sequence: protests began on October 2, Congress demonstrations were reported from October 6, and hundreds were detained before being released.

What is an FIR, and what does registering one mean for the people named in it?

FIR means First Information Report. It is a formal police record made when information suggests that a cognisable offence may have occurred. It starts the criminal investigation process and records the initial allegations, circumstances and people identified in the complaint or police account.

Registering an FIR does not mean the named person has been found guilty. Investigators may collect statements, documents, recordings and other evidence. They may then file a final report or chargesheet, depending on what the investigation establishes. A court decides guilt after the legal process, not the FIR itself.

In this case, Delhi Police registered 25 FIRs over alleged vandalism, assaults, obstruction and violations of prohibitory orders. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were named, according to police. The article reports no convictions, and it does not say what specific allegation applies to each named person.

What is Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and how can it restrict public gatherings?

Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita is a legal provision used through an order to restrict unlawful assemblies and other specified activities. It is designed to address situations where authorities believe restrictions are needed to protect public order or prevent a threatened disturbance. The exact limits depend on the order issued.

In practical terms, an order under Section 163 can prohibit or regulate gatherings, movement or particular conduct in a defined area. People who knowingly breach the order may face investigation under applicable law. The provision does not automatically make every protest unlawful; the conduct must be assessed against the order’s terms and the relevant law.

The article states that Section 163 was in force in New Delhi district. Police cited alleged violations of the restrictions, along with damage to government property and confrontations with security personnel, as reasons for registering cases. The article does not specify the full wording or duration of the order.

Why was the Congress demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar?

Congress was protesting what it described as alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, of electoral rolls. It demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Electoral-roll changes matter politically because they can affect whose names appear on voter lists and therefore who can participate in elections.

Since October 6, Congress had staged demonstrations at several locations in Lutyens Delhi. The protests were part of a wider series against the Election Commission. Hundreds of protesters were detained during the demonstrations and released later, while police registered 25 FIRs over alleged disorder and other offences.

The article presents the irregularities as allegations and does not detail the specific changes or errors involved. It also reports that the opposition planned a march to Rashtrapati Bhavan to seek Kumar’s resignation. Thus, the dispute combined a demand for accountability with a broader political challenge over electoral-roll revision.

What legal consequences could protesters face if investigators establish allegations such as vandalism, assault, obstruction of government work, or violating prohibitory orders?

The allegations described could lead to criminal prosecution if investigators collect sufficient evidence. Vandalism may attract property-damage offences. Assault or scuffles involving police may lead to charges for causing hurt or using force. Obstructing government work and breaching a prohibitory order can also constitute separate offences under applicable law.

The legal mechanism generally involves investigation after the FIR, evidence collection, possible arrest or notice where legally permitted, and a police report to a court. Prosecutors must establish the required facts and intent for each offence. A court then decides whether the accused are guilty. An FIR or detention alone is not a conviction.

The article does not identify the exact legal sections, penalties or charges for each person. Therefore, consequences could range from fines to imprisonment, depending on the offences ultimately charged and proved. The reported cases name Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, but the article gives no finding of guilt against them.

What is a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, and why can changes to voter lists become a major political and democratic issue?

A Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls is a focused, detailed exercise to review and update the official list of registered voters. It can involve checking existing entries and identifying additions, deletions or corrections under the election authority’s procedures. The goal is to keep the rolls accurate, though the article does not describe the procedure’s precise steps.

Changes to voter lists can become a major democratic issue because the rolls determine whose names are available for election participation. If people believe entries were wrongly removed, added or altered, they may question fairness and representation. Political parties may also fear that changes could affect their supporters or electoral prospects.

In this case, Congress alleged irregularities in the SIR and demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. The article gives no details about the alleged irregularities or their verified impact. It shows, however, that the dispute prompted demonstrations, detentions and 25 police cases in Delhi.

Key Facts:

📌 Delhi Police registered 25 FIRs over anti-Election Commission protests.

📌 Police alleged vandalism, assaults, obstruction and prohibited-order violations.

📌 Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were named in cases.

📌 Police registered 25 FIRs by Thursday.

📌 Hundreds of protesters were detained and later released.

📌 The protests occurred from October 2 over the following week.

📌 FIR stands for First Information Report.

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