Delhi Metro closed entry and exit at 11 stations on Friday due to protests by AAP and student unions. Key stations include Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat. Interchange facilities remain available at select stations.
Amid the AAP and student unions protests, the Delhi Metro on Friday closed entry and exit at 11 stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat and Jantar Mantar.
The metro station which will remain closed today are Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg and New Delhi stations
DMRC said in an X post that stations will remain closed till further notice.
Quick answers to key questions
The Delhi Metro has closed entry and exit at 11 stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Janpath, and Mandi House, among others, until further notice.
The Delhi Police imposed Section 163 to prohibit public gatherings and demonstrations without prior permission due to concerns over public safety during the planned protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Section 163 prohibits assemblies of five or more persons and requires written permission for demonstrations, speeches, and public gatherings to prevent potential threats to public order.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in electoral rolls and concerns over the conduct of elections.
Yes, commuters are advised to avoid routes around Jantar Mantar as traffic restrictions and diversions are in place to manage the expected protests and ensure safety.
However, the interchange facility will remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, New Delhi and Central Secretariat stations, it said.
Police beefs up security
Meanwhile, Delhi Police imposed a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, ahead of the proposed demonstration. Police have denied permission for the protest. Here’s what the orders say:
- Assemblies of five or more persons, processions, demonstrations, picketing, dharnas, shouting of slogans and making speeches are prohibited without prior written permission.
- It bans the carrying of firearms, banners, placards, lathis, swords, sticks, brickbats or similar articles.
- Citizens and visitors have been advised to strictly comply and refrain from any unauthorised gathering.
DCP New Delhi Sachin Sharma told Reuters on Friday, “Section 163 of the BNSS is in force in New Delhi, and protests, demonstrations, marches and similar activities are not permitted. Preventive arrangements have been made, and everyone is requested to follow the law and cooperate with the police.”
“As Section 163 is in force, people are advised not to come to the area for protests or demonstrations. Necessary circulars, notifications and public awareness messages regarding roads and Metro services are being issued,” he said.
Protests demanding Gyanesh Kumar resignation
The Aam Aadmi Party, All India Students’ Association (AISA), National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), and Indian Youth Congress (IYC) have announced protests at Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleging mass voter deletions.
In a post shared on X, Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan, who is among those who had supported the protests, said the protest was against the “hijacking” of democracy by Gyanesh Kumar and his “handlers”, while stressing that the demonstration was not partisan.
“Today’s protest at Jantar Mantar and elsewhere in the country is a citizens’ protest against the hijacking of our democracy by Gyanesh Kumar and his handlers. Though many organisations and parties have endorsed the call, it is not a partisan protest,” Bhushan said.
He urged participants to attend the protest in their individual capacity and without displaying posters or symbols of any political party or organisation.
About the Author
Sanchari Ghosh
Sanchari Ghosh is an Assistant Editor at Mint with over 12 years of experience in journalism, specialising in personal finance, DLT & DeFi, geopolitics and foreign policy, with a particular emphasis on how these areas intersect.
She writes extensively about how money works in everyday life—helping readers navigate personal finance decisions.
As AI reshapes investing behaviour, capital is increasingly flowing into decentralized ecosystems, redefining how assets are managed, traded, and valued. She focuses on explaining how money flows within frameworks like Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), DeFi protocols, and crypto markets—while also exploring what the future of money could look like in a trustless, programmable financial world.
She also focuses on immigration-related issues, simplifying complex topics around visas, passports, overseas financial planning, and the many practical challenges Indians face while moving or living abroad.
Alongside personal finance, Sanchari has a strong understanding of international politics, contemporary and historical conflicts, and global state decisions. She closely tracks how geopolitical developments influence economies, markets, and individual financial choices, bringing together finance and global affairs in her reporting.
She began her career as a desk editor, which gave her a strong foundation in news writing. Over time, her interest naturally shifted toward personal finance. Before joining Mint in 2020, she worked DNA, The Times of India, Outlook Money, BloombergQuint, and ETMoney. At Mint, she got an opportunity to expand her coverage to include immigration and geopolitical developments while continuing to closely follow personal finance trends and market movements.As a journalist, she is committed to accuracy, intellectual rigour, and fairness.
She is an English Major and her work took her across cities including Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune. Living independently from an early age gave her firsthand experience in managing life and money on her own. This practical exposure sparked her strong interest in personal finance.
Outside the newsroom, Sanchari is a sports enthusiast who regularly plays lawn tennis and squash. In her younger years, she was also a national-level badminton player.
