Delhi Police asks DMRC to close gates at 57 metro stations ahead of Jantar Mantar protest

Delhi Police has asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to consider closing entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations. The request comes ahead of the proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10.

The letter is dated Thursday, October 8. It was written by the Joint Commissioner of Police (Transport Range) to DMRC Managing Director Vikas Kumar. It asks him to direct officers and staff to act from 9 pm on Friday, October 9.

Police have also suggested reducing train frequency at these stations. The letter cites the likelihood of unruly crowd movement towards sensitive locations. It asks DMRC to act swiftly so that crowds can be managed and sensitive areas secured.

The list covers stations across central, north, south, east and northeast Delhi. Among them are Rajiv Chowk, Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, New Delhi, Mandi House, ITO, Delhi Gate, Khan Market and Supreme Court.

The protest has been called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police sources told Newslaundry that preparations are stricter than those for the July protests. They said police would try to stop people from reaching Jantar Mantar. They also said students had been told that gathering there would be illegal because prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) are in force.

DMRC has not yet announced whether it will go ahead with the closures. Commuters have been advised to check official DMRC updates.