Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, stages a sit-in protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Akashvani Bhawan, in New Delhi on October 6, 2026.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Delhi Police have registered an FIR against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several others over alleged forcible entry into the Akashvani Bhavan premises during an INDIA bloc protest on Tuesday (October 6, 2026).
The case comes a day after Delhi Police detained around 260 people, including 10 MPs, following the INDIA bloc’s march from Parliament towards the Election Commission of India office. Police said the protesters breached barricades and continued despite repeated directions to disperse.
“At least 10 MPs and others who could be identified have been named in the complaint. A case has been booked under charges of criminal trespass, and further investigation is underway,” a New Delhi police official told The Hindu. While several protesters were detained during the march, Mr. Gandhi, Ms. Gandhi Vadra and other Opposition leaders reached the Akashvani Bhavan premises, where they staged a sit-in for several hours after being stopped from proceeding towards the Election Commission. Police later removed and detained the leaders.
The FIR was registered following a complaint by Akashvani staffers, who alleged that Mr. Gandhi, Ms. Gandhi Vadra and others accompanying them entered the premises despite resistance.
The Opposition MPs had staged the protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The INDIA bloc had sought to march to the Election Commission office and meet the poll panel chief.
According to the police, no permission had been sought from the Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi district, for Tuesday’s (October 6, 2026) march and, consequently, no permission was granted. Police also said restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita were in force in the New Delhi area.
Congress MP Imran Masood rejected the allegation that Mr. Gandhi had forcibly entered the premises, saying the Leader of the Opposition was accompanied by other MPs.
“Rahul Gandhi is the LoP and was accompanied by MPs. He did not enter anywhere forcibly,” Mr. Masood said.
He said the institutions belonged to the country and not to any political party, and alleged that the Opposition was being denied an opportunity to meet the authorities.
“No one is ready to meet. Now we will go and sit in front of their houses,” he said.
Mr. Masood also said the registration of an FIR would not deter the Opposition from continuing its protests.
“They should not be mistaken that we will back off fearing an FIR,” he said.
The development comes amid a series of protests in Delhi demanding action against the CEC and raising allegations concerning the electoral process.
Published – October 07, 2026 11:06 am IST
