NEW DELHI: Delhi Police on Thursday registered three FIRs against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and several other Opposition lawmakers in connection with Wednesday’s high-voltage protests in the national capital. Police officials confirmed that more cases are currently being registered as their investigation progresses.
The FIRs include charges under various statutory provisions related to the alleged assault on police personnel on duty, obstruction of official government work, pushing, manhandling, and misbehaviour with law enforcement officers.
Stopped During March to Jantar Mantar
The legal action stems from Wednesday’s demonstration when police intercepted MPs belonging to the Opposition INDIA bloc as they attempted to march towards Jantar Mantar. The lawmakers were protesting against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was among those detained during the police action and taken to the Barakhamba Road Police Station. Eyewitness accounts and visual media showed Gandhi attempting to open a barricaded gate to allow protesters to proceed. Before being driven away in a police vehicle, he waved to the media and displayed a victory sign.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also detained by police personnel and moved to the Chhatrasal Stadium Police Station. During the police intervention, she was seen lying on the ground, later alleging that police had used excessive physical force against protesting parliamentarians.
“What is the value of the Constitution in this nation? We will lay down our lives for the Constitution. No cost is too high for us,” Priyanka told reporters from inside the police vehicle while holding up a copy of the Constitution.
Rahul Vows to Continue Agitation
Speaking on the police action, Rahul Gandhi asserted that the Congress party and the broader INDIA alliance would not back down from taking to the streets, facing arrests, or confronting legal cases to protect democracy and the Constitution.
Taking to social media platform X, Gandhi wrote that the alliance between the “dictatorial Modi government” and the Election Commission stood exposed. He demanded immediate resignations and accountability, stating that an arrogant regime cannot hold out against public sentiment for long.
Gandhi reiterated that the agitation against the head of the poll panel would persist until demands were met. He stated that the Opposition would not cease its agitation until CEC Gyanesh Kumar stepped down, adding that no action by Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union Home Minister Amit Shah could deter their movement.
Earlier Trespass Incident at Akashvani Bhavan
Wednesday’s action follows another FIR registered by the Delhi Police earlier in the week concerning an incident where Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other alliance leaders allegedly entered the premises of Akashvani Bhavan without prior security clearance on Tuesday.
According to police statements, the INDIA bloc had originally planned an unauthorized march from Parliament House toward Nirvachan Sadan—the headquarters of the Election Commission of India. Police maintained that no official permission had been sought or granted for the march.
When security personnel stopped the marchers near the Election Commission office, several Opposition leaders staged a sit-in. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra subsequently entered the adjacent Akashvani Bhavan premises alongside other MPs to continue their demonstration.
Delhi Police stated that despite repeated requests to clear the compound, the protesters refused to comply, insisting that a delegation of MPs be allowed to meet senior officials of the Election Commission. Police then intervened to restore order, removing and detaining the leaders from the premises.
