More FIRs Against Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi as Delhi Police Book Protesters Over Alleged Assault

The confrontation between the Opposition and Delhi Police over protests against the Election Commission has escalated into a fresh round of FIRs, with police registering three cases over alleged assault and misbehaviour with personnel, obstruction of government work and manhandling during Wednesday’s demonstration.

Delhi Police said more cases are being registered in connection with the protest. The details of the FIRs registered so far include the names of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The cases add another legal dimension to an already bitter political confrontation between the Congress-led Opposition and the government over allegations concerning the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

POLITICAL SHOWDOWN ESCALATES

The cases stem from Wednesday's protest by INDIA bloc MPs, who were stopped by Delhi Police while attempting to proceed towards Jantar Mantar to demonstrate against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The Opposition has accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls and has demanded Kumar's resignation.

The Election Commission have rejected the allegations, while the BJP has accused the Opposition of attempting to undermine the credibility of a constitutional institution.

The latest FIRs now bring the street confrontation into the legal arena, with police alleging that some protesters assaulted or manhandled personnel and obstructed government officials from carrying out their duties.

THE BARRICADE STANDOFF

Rahul Gandhi was among the Opposition MPs detained during Wednesday's protest and taken to Barakhamba Road Police Station. During the demonstration, Gandhi was seen attempting to open a barricaded gate as police personnel prevented the protesters from proceeding further.

He later said the Congress and its INDIA bloc allies would continue to take their campaign to the streets despite arrests and criminal cases.

In a post on X, Gandhi said the Opposition was prepared to face arrest and legal action in what he described as a fight to protect the Constitution and democracy. He also reiterated the Opposition's demand for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, saying the protests would continue until the Election Commission chief stepped down.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also detained during the protest and taken to Chhatrasal Stadium Police Station. She was seen lying on the ground during the police action and later alleged that force had been used against Opposition MPs.

“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 Gandhi told reporters while holding up a copy of the Constitution from the police vehicle.

THE AKASHVANI BHAVAN CASE

The latest FIRs come just days after Delhi Police registered another case involving Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders over their alleged entry into the Akashvani Bhavan premises during an earlier protest.

The Opposition had planned a march from Parliament House towards Nirvachan Sadan, the headquarters of the Election Commission.

According to Delhi Police, no official permission had been sought or granted for the proposed march.

After police stopped the protesters near the Election Commission office, several Opposition leaders staged a sit-in. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi subsequently entered the Akashvani Bhavan premises along with other leaders and continued their protest there.

Police said the protesters were asked to leave but refused, insisting that a delegation of MPs should be allowed to meet Election Commission officials. The protesters were eventually removed from the premises and detained.

OPPOSITION VS ELECTION COMMISSION

At the centre of the confrontation is the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have raised questions about the revision process and alleged irregularities in voter lists. Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders have made the issue a major part of their political campaign, framing it as a question of protecting the integrity of elections.

The Election Commission has rejected the allegations and defended the electoral revision exercise.

With inputs from ANI