Story perspectives

Supreme Court Issues Contempt Notices Over Cockroach Janta Protest

By Drooid · Oct 15, 2026, 5:13 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The Cockroach Janta Party protested at Jantar Mantar on 10 Oct 2026, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Police and Home Secretary Govind Mohan said the internet shutdown and makeshift detention were lawful.
Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar told the Supreme Court that intelligence and past CJP experience justified the steps.
Supreme Court issued notices to police chief, home secretary and metro rail chair, citing a prima facie contempt case.

History

Historical Context

1975 Indian Emergency, declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, suspended democratic processes and imposed nationwide curfews across Delhi for six months. The government ordered a 5-kilometre communications blackout, while Delhi Police sealed 120 public squares, detaining over 100,000 protesters. Today, the Janta Party’s 2026 protest at Jantar Mantar meets denial, a 4-kilometre internet shutdown, and metro service cut at 45 of 303 stations (?15 %). The recurrence underscores how emergency-style restrictions reappear, prompting civil-society groups to demand clearer legal safeguards for assembly and digital rights.

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Story summary

The Cockroach Janta Party protested at Jantar Mantar on 10 Oct 2026, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Police and Home Secretary Govind Mohan said the internet shutdown and makeshift detention were lawful.
Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar told the Supreme Court that intelligence and past CJP experience justified the steps.
Supreme Court issued notices to police chief, home secretary and metro rail chair, citing a prima facie contempt case.

1 / 2