DELHI TIGHTENS SECURITY AFTER OPPOSITION MARCH AS TWO FIRs REGISTERED AND PARAMILITARY DEPLOYMENT EXTENSION SOUGHT

October 13, 2026

Delhi Police has registered two first information reports (FIRs) over the Opposition’s march towards the Supreme Court against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and sought an extension of the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the national capital until October 20 amid concerns over further demonstrations.

The FIRs were registered at Barakhamba Road and Tilak Marg police stations in connection with Monday’s “March for Democracy”, which brought together several INDIA bloc leaders, including Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee.

Police said permission had not been granted for the march and alleged that some Opposition leaders broke police barricades with the assistance of a mini-truck. The registrations mark a further escalation in the dispute surrounding protests against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

In a communication to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi Police has requested that the deployment of 273 CAPF companies be extended beyond its scheduled conclusion on Monday. The force said the additional security presence was needed to maintain law and order and respond to possible demonstrations.

Authorities have flagged the possibility of protests at several sensitive locations, including Jantar Mantar, the Election Commission, Parliament House and India Gate. Demonstrations by student organisations, the Bhim Army and other political groups are also among the concerns cited by police.

The capital has witnessed heightened security measures in recent days, including extensive personnel deployment, restrictions around key locations and the temporary closure of Metro stations during the protests.

The Opposition has been challenging the electoral-roll revision process, alleging that eligible voters risk being excluded. The Election Commission’s handling of the exercise and the role of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar have become central issues in the political confrontation.

The latest police action signals continued security vigilance in Delhi as political groups consider further demonstrations. The FIRs concern alleged violations linked to the march and do not, by themselves, establish the guilt of those involved.