New Delhi: In a major political development, Delhi Police on Monday detained Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and over 50 Members of Parliament belonging to the Opposition INDIA bloc following an 8-hour sit-in demonstration near Akashvani Bhawan and Parliament Street.
March to Election Commission Headquarters Stopped
The Opposition MPs had launched a protest march from Parliament towards Nirvachan Sadan (Election Commission of India) opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged discrepancies. Delhi Police erected multi-layer barricades near Akashvani Bhawan to halt the procession, citing security regulations in the high-security New Delhi zone.
8-Hour Sit-in Protest Near Akashvani Bhawan
Blocked from proceeding, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and senior alliance leaders staged an impromptu sit-in on the road. The leaders demanded direct meeting and submission of memorandum regarding voter list transparency. By evening, police invoked prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS and took the demonstrating leaders into custody.
Congress Response and Official Statement
Congress issued a sharp response stating that detaining elected MPs fighting for democratic transparency was unconstitutional. Delhi Police maintained that no clearance was granted for mass demonstrations in the central vista area and preventive custody was enforced to restore traffic and public order. The detained MPs were transported to Kingsway Camp police lines.
