Protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar: Section 163 BNSS in force in New Delhi, Metro, traffic curbs announced

A prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 has been put into force across the New Delhi district on October 2, Friday, ahead of a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Delhi Police said in a post on X that Section 163 BNSS was in force in the New Delhi district. Under the prohibitory order, public meetings or assemblies of five or more people, processions, demonstrations, picketing and dharnas are prohibited without prior written permission. Shouting slogans and making speeches are also prohibited without such permission.

Delhi Police has also said that no organisation has been granted permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar on Friday.

The planned protest by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and student unions is linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and allegations of mass deletion of voters.

The protesters are demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.

Metro services hit

Meanwhile, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has closed entry and exit at 11 stations in view of the planned protests. The stations include Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg and New Delhi, the DMRC said in a post on X.

The closures will remain in place until further notice. Interchange facilities will, however, remain available at Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, New Delhi and Central Secretariat, according to the DMRC.

Traffic restrictions in force

The Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory warning of traffic restrictions and regulated movement around Jantar Mantar and adjoining areas.

Traffic from Connaught Place towards Patel Chowk will be diverted through alternate routes, while movement from Patel Chowk towards GPO will be regulated or diverted at appropriate points, according to the advisory.

Traffic on Tolstoy Marg will also be regulated or diverted, with commuters advised to avoid the stretch wherever possible. Movement on Jantar Mantar Road will be restricted or diverted, and motorists have been asked to use alternate routes.

The traffic police have advised commuters to avoid Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street, Ashoka Road and adjoining roads wherever possible.

“Barricading and traffic diversions may be put in place. Commuters should expect increased travel time on adjoining roads,” the advisory said.

Motorists travelling towards Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, GPO, Parliament Street and Central Delhi have been advised to plan alternate routes and allow additional travel time.

Stopping or parking vehicles on or near the regulated stretches is prohibited and could further disrupt traffic movement, the advisory said.

Section 163 BNSS will remain applicable in the specified area as per orders of the competent authority, the traffic police said, urging the public to follow directions issued by authorities and on-ground personnel.

What Section 163 BNSS means: The provision allows authorities to issue written orders in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger, including where action is considered necessary to prevent obstruction, injury, danger to human life, disturbance of public tranquillity, riot or affray. In this case, the order places restrictions on gatherings and related activities in the specified area.

First Published: 

Oct 2, 2026 9:22 AM

IST