New Delhi: Following a protest near the Election Commission’s headquarters, Delhi Police have formally lodged an FIR against senior Congress figures Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with several other opposition members.
What Sparked the Demonstration?
The INDIA alliance organised a march to press for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls and to call for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Approximately 200 parliamentarians set out from the Lok Sabha, intending to reach the EC office.
Police Action at Akashvani Bhawan
After covering about 700 metres along Parliament Street, the procession was stopped by police who said the protesters did not have clearance to enter the government complex.
Undeterred, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other leaders scaled or circumvented the police barricades, moving onto the Akashvani Bhawan campus where they began a sit‑in.
Detention and Night‑time Release
Despite repeated requests to vacate, the leaders insisted on meeting Election Commission officials. After several hours inside the building, police moved in and cleared the site.
Alongside the Gandhis, Congress figures such as K.C. Venugopal, Deepender Hooda and Pawan Khera were taken into custody, as were a number of MPs and party workers. All detainees were transferred to the New Police Lines at Kingsway Camp and were released later that night.
FIR Details and Ongoing Investigation
The FIR, lodged at Parliament Street Police Station, alleges unauthorised entry into the Akashvani Bhawan complex. Investigators are now probing the actions of everyone named in the complaint.
This incident adds another chapter to the mounting confrontation between the opposition and the Election Commission over alleged irregularities in the electoral‑roll revision process, with security forces keeping a close watch on central Delhi.
