Section 163 imposed in Delhi: What it means amid Jantar Mantar protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar | Today’s news
The Delhi Police on Friday imposed bans under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across New Delhi district, ahead of a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The regulation prohibits public gatherings of five or more people, demonstrations and other activities without prior written consent.
The police denied permission for the demonstration scheduled for 11 am today on Gandhi Jayanti. The protest was called by the All India Students’ Association (AISA), Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan.
What does Section 163 say?
Public assemblies or gatherings of five or more persons, processions, demonstrations, demonstrations and dharnas are prohibited without prior written permission, according to the ordinance.
Restrictions also prohibit shouting slogans and speaking without permission.
What is § 163 BNSS?
Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 empowers the Executive Magistrate to issue writ orders in urgent cases involving potential threat to public safety or public order.
The provision replaced § 144 of the Criminal Code.
It allows authorities to impose temporary precautionary restrictions, including on public gatherings, if such measures are deemed necessary to address the perceived danger.
Security was tightened with intensive police deployment
According to PTI, additional personnel of Delhi Police and Central Armed Forces have been deployed at Jantar Mantar and other sensitive places in New Delhi district.
Barricades have also been placed around the area to regulate movement and prevent unauthorized gathering.
Traffic restrictions were also announced around Jantar Mantar amid anticipation of congestion.
What is the protest about?
The organizers have raised concerns over the electoral rolls and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and are demanding action against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
An earlier report by The Indian Express said that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had registered objections against certain decisions and orders, including some they claimed were issued without their knowledge, at least 14 times in 10 months.
Subsequently, the Election Commission rejected the motion for lack of unanimity, saying that its three-member panel takes decisions, including those related to the SIR exercise, unanimously.
Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led protest movement, has also announced a demonstration in Mumbai on Friday for the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Reuters reported that the CJP and other student and activist groups organized protests on October 2 over the revision of the electoral roll and the Election Commission.
