23,000 cops, facial recognition and more: How Delhi Police prepares for CJP’s protest against Gyanesh Kumar Oct 10 | Today’s news

Delhi has been put on high alert ahead of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest scheduled for October 10, with extensive security in and around Jantar Mantar as the chorus of calls for Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation grows.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has provided additional companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to the Delhi Police to beef up security in view of the proposed protest and other potential gatherings in the national capital. At least 23,000 security personnel are expected to be deployed in Delhi by 12 noon, news agency ANI reported.

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The CJP and the All India Students’ Association have jointly called for a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 and several opposition parties are expected to join. The Delhi Police did not grant permission for the protest citing the ban under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Quick answers to key questions

•5 QUESTIONS

The CJP and the All India Students’ Association called a protest on 10 October to demand Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission, particularly the extra intensive revision of electoral rolls.

No. The article says that the Delhi Police did not grant permission citing the ban under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.

The MHA has made available 221 CAPF companies – about 23,000 personnel – to the Delhi Police till October 12. The plans also include barricades, CCTV and cameras for facial recognition and monitoring at borders and junctions.

Based on the prevailing situation and inputs from the Delhi Police, the Excise Department has ordered the closure of liquor retail outlets with specific licenses as a precautionary measure to maintain public order.

Security agencies are monitoring social media calls for rallies, while police plan surveillance and barricades at key entry points. Authorities also patrol Delhi’s borders, railway stations and bus terminals.

The protest is being held to demand the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar due to alleged irregularities in the functioning, especially the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. However, permission for the proposed protest has not yet been granted, sources said.

Mumbai, Bengaluru and now Jantar Mantar CJP Protest

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke on Thursday called for a nationwide mobilization against the SIR exercise and said his party is marching to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

“Jantar Mantar belongs to the people of India, it does not belong to Union Home Minister Amit Shah,” he told reporters. “If Mumbai and Bengaluru can protest peacefully, why won’t Amit Shah allow it in Delhi?” asked the CJP founder.

Dipke asked why protests could be held in Mumbai and Bengaluru, but restrictions were imposed on rallies in Delhi. Protests were recently held in Mumbai and Bengaluru with the same demand.

Deployment of 221 CAPF companies

Security agencies also closely monitor social media activity. Some groups have issued calls on social media for protests or rallies in Delhi around October 10. Authorities monitor such calls to prevent any confrontation or law and order situation.

The MHA has made available to 221 companies of the Central Armed Police Force approximately 23,000 personnel — available to the Delhi Police till 12 October. It is one of the largest deployments of central forces to maintain law and order during a protest in the capital since the 2020 riots in northeast Delhi, the Indian Express reported.

According to two official communications issued on October 5 and 6, at least 70 companies of the CRPF, comprising about 7,000 personnel currently deployed in West Bengal and Chhattisgarh, are being mobilized in Delhi ahead of the CJP protest to fulfill law and order duties.

50,000 people are expected

Officers said the intelligence unit of the Delhi Police estimated that more than 50,000 people, including those from neighboring states, may gather in the city, the Indian Express said in a report.

Bengaluru: A woman during the ‘Chappal Protest’ organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) condemning crimes against women and demanding security and appropriate measures, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, Thursday, October 8, 2026. (PTI Photo)(PTI10_08_2026_000442A)(PTI)

The New Delhi area is expected to witness a massive security deployment on October 10, with multi-layered barricades, CCTV surveillance and Facial Recognition System (FRS)-enabled cameras used to monitor movement.

As for the Delhi Police, 5,000 Delhi Police are now deployed in the New Delhi district where Jantar Mantar is located. This number could go up to 15 thousand. Multi-layered barricades are also placed on roads leading to Jantar Mantar and Parliament. Prohibitory orders were also imposed in Rajghat.

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Strict patrolling will be maintained at Delhi borders, railway stations and bus terminals. Security agencies are also keeping a special patrol to prevent criminal elements from entering the protest rally by posing as protesters, sources said.

Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) is in force and gatherings in violation of the restrictions will not be allowed.

Depending on the situation, the police may also regulate access to metro stations and markets in the New Delhi area.

Security agencies are maintaining close coordination and monitoring developments ahead of October 10 to prevent any law and order situation in the capital, sources said.

Liquor stores closed

Liquor shops will also remain closed on Friday and Saturday at the request of the Delhi government police citing the possibility of law and order problems during the protest.

An order issued by the Excise Department on October 8 directed all retail liquor shops operating under specified licenses to remain completely closed for two days.

“In view of the prevailing situation and the intimations received from the Delhi Police, as a precautionary measure to maintain public order, it is hereby directed that all retail liquor shops with licenses in Form L6, L6 & L6FG, L8, L10 and L8 & L14 operating in Delhi shall remain completely closed on October 9 and October 10,” the order said.