Delhi Police detained Rahul Gandhi and several Congress MPs after they refused to leave the Akashvani Bhawan premises following an eight‑hour sit‑in on October 6, 2026. The leaders had occupied the central broadcast studio, waving banners and chanting slogans, while officers tried to negotiate a peaceful exit.
The standoff began at 9 a.m., with Gandhi and his allies demanding that the Election Commission allow them to meet the Chief Election Commissioner before the upcoming elections. Police entered the compound at 5 p.m., citing a breach of public order, and escorted the leaders out, citing safety concerns.
The opposition’s grievances center on alleged irregularities in the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which they say could skew the vote. They have called for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, arguing that his oversight has compromised the integrity of the upcoming polls.
A meeting on October 5, attended by Congress, CPI, CPI(M), RJD, NCP and RSP representatives, resolved to stage a mass demonstration on October 7. The group will march from Parliament Street to the Election Commission headquarters, a route that has historically drawn thousands of protesters.
Local residents near the Commission’s office have expressed frustration over the repeated disruptions. A mother of two, standing at the gate, shouted, “We just want free elections, not chaos.”
The protest is slated to culminate in a sit‑in outside the CEC’s offices, where the bloc will demand a formal inquiry into the SIR process and the dismissal of the CEC. The Delhi Police have warned that any escalation could lead to a broader crackdown.