Delhi police detain protest leaders after Jantar Mantar de-notification

Delhi police detained multiple protest leaders on October 12, 2026, near Jantar Mantar after authorities de-notified the site as a designated location for demonstrations and public assemblies. Among those detained were CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, along with activist Ajinkya Shinde, marking an escalation in tensions surrounding the historic protest landmark.

The de-notification effectively restricts organized demonstrations at Jantar Mantar, a site that has hosted numerous political and social movements across India's capital for decades. The decision to withdraw the venue's official status represents a significant shift in Delhi's protest regulations and has raised concerns among advocacy groups regarding freedom of assembly.

Resisting the police action, CJP spokesperson Dipke declared that the government cannot suppress grassroots resistance through administrative orders. "We cannot be de-notified," Dipke stated, signaling that activists intend to continue their mobilization efforts despite official restrictions.

The detentions occurred as various civil society groups and opposition voices condemned the de-notification as an attempt to curtail legitimate democratic expression. Legal experts have suggested the move could face challenges in courts, where the balance between public order and constitutional freedoms remains contested.