Mahua Moitra

On News Track, Marya Shakil reports on the Supreme Court taking a grim view of the INDIA bloc's march to the court premises against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision process. The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, observed that nobody can browbeat the judiciary and that mob entry into court premises is impermissible, issuing notices to Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Akhilesh Yadav, Mahua Moitra, and other leaders. The top court also agreed to examine the de-notification of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue. Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani evaluates the legal limits of challenging unanimous Election Commission decisions and questions the suitability of Jantar Mantar for massive demonstrations. The programme further debates the Delhi High Court refusing to halt a protest in Connaught Place, alongside severe political clashes triggered by Prashant Bhushan's admission calling for regime change, drawing sharp rebuttals from the BJP and responses from Congress.

A special report outlines three major developments across the country. In Mumbai, actor and American citizen Imran Khan was served a notice by police directing him to leave India by 28 October under immigration laws after participating in an agitation demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation. Commentator Cyrus Broacha criticised the action as heavy-handed and argued for the democratic right to peaceful dissent. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister addressed Asian Games medal winners at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi, praising the 85-medal haul, including 38 won by female athletes, and highlighted initiatives like Khelo India while outlining aspirations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2036 Olympics. In the national capital, the Supreme Court pulled up Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders over their protest march to the court premises regarding the Special Intensive Revision process, stating that nobody can browbeat the judiciary. The court issued notices to opposition leaders and agreed to examine the de-notification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site.

The Supreme Court took a grim view of Rahul Gandhi and INDIA bloc leaders marching to the apex court premises over anti-CEC protests and the SIR process. A bench headed by the Chief Justice observed that nobody can browbeat the judiciary and barred mob entry into court premises, issuing notices to Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Akhilesh Yadav, Mahua Moitra, and others asking them to explain their actions. Meanwhile, the court agreed to examine the de-notification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site, assessing whether the decision followed due application of mind. It also directed police and private parties to preserve CCTV and video footage related to the protests.

The Supreme Court has sought an explanation from opposition INDIA bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Akhilesh Yadav, and Mahua Moitra, over their march and the subsequent commotion inside the court premises on October 12. The top court questioned the conduct and intention of the leaders and co-petitioners who entered the premises with a crowd after the registry had closed, leading to disruption at the filing centre. The hearing involved multiple petitions concerning the protest, alleged illegal detentions, metro closures, railway disruptions, and attacks on journalists. While issuing notices in the matters to allow parties to respond, the bench underscored that it was not condoning the actions that transpired during the march.

Political tensions have intensified in New Delhi following the five-day judicial remand of Cockroach Janata Party members Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka in Tihar Jail. The individuals were detained by Delhi Police after climbing barricades at Jantar Mantar to unfurl the national flag. In response, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke called for a demonstration at Connaught Place Central Park on 16 October. Leaders across the opposition INDIA bloc, including Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, MK Stalin, and Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, criticized the crackdown, while BJP spokesperson Dr. Ajay Alok defended police restrictions citing prohibited protest zones. Meanwhile, televised debates highlighted disputes among student groups, SFI, and Congress representatives regarding democratic rights and assembly restrictions. Indian Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib approached the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court challenging the de-notification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site. Concurrently, Rahul Gandhi joined the demonstration demanding justice for Ankita Bhandari near India Gate.

The Cockroach Janata Party has announced a protest at Central Park in Connaught Place, New Delhi, on 16 October, following the five-day judicial remand of its leaders Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka to Tihar Jail.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra extended full backing to democratic protests against alleged electoral malpractice, affirming her party's solidarity with youth demonstrators. Speaking on the call for accountability, Moitra asserted, "He's the first person whose resignation should be on the table," referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. She maintained that the movement's focus goes far beyond individual officials, stating that "obviously the buck doesn't stop with Ganesh Kumar" and directly implicating senior government leadership. Moitra challenged allegations of foreign influence and unauthorized infiltrators, citing tribunal data and demanding concrete evidence from the government regarding alleged illegal voters in Bihar and West Bengal. Addressing opposition coordination, she emphasized that senior leaders have deliberately maintained separate protest schedules to preserve public and student spaces while remaining united in their collective effort to protect Indian democracy.

Delhi Metro entry and exit gates across New Delhi stations were reopened as the INDIA bloc organised a major protest in the national capital. Visuals showed a noticeable contrast between the handling of this opposition demonstration and previous civil society protests led by student bodies and the Kakroo Janata Party, where heavy police action had been reported over the weekend. Following severe criticism and a contempt of court notice issued by the Supreme Court to the Union Home Secretary and the Delhi Police Commissioner, minimal police and paramilitary resistance was observed on the ground. Discussions highlighted internal dynamics within the opposition, including the presence of All India Students' Association representative Neha Vora alongside Congress leaders, contrasted with the Congress party's political distrust of the Kakroo Janata Party leadership. Additionally, security personnel were reported to have stepped up barricading measures near the Supreme Court as gatherings continued.

Opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc gathered in the national capital following new notifications restricting protests at Jantar Mantar. Key leaders, including Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, Mahua Moitra, and Abhishek Banerjee, arrived at the Constitution Club to voice their demands. Meanwhile, heavy demonstrations were witnessed outside Himachal Bhavan, where thousands of party workers gathered, climbed barricades, and attempted to march towards the Supreme Court while raising slogans against the central government and the Chief Election Commissioner. A heavy police deployment was put in place to manage the massive crowds as flash protests spread across parts of New Delhi.

Delhi Police have registered an FIR against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra following severe confrontations during an opposition march towards the Election Commission. Police officials alleged that several personnel, including women officers, faced assault and obstruction during the protest, with one constable stating he was abused, bitten, and surrounded by demonstrators. The Bharatiya Janata Party targeted Rahul Gandhi over video clips, alleging inappropriate contact and manhandling of a woman police officer on duty. Rejecting the allegations, the Congress asserted that Rahul Gandhi was merely protecting party workers who were being assaulted on the ground. Opposition leaders, including Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, alleged severe police brutality, claiming MPs were scratched, thrown to the ground, and manhandled while peacefully demonstrating. Congress leaders also announced intentions to pursue privilege proceedings against senior police officials, accusing the central government of misusing the police force.

A major political row has erupted following the Congress-led opposition protest in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Bharatiya Janata Party targeted Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of shoving and manhandling a female police officer on duty. Meanwhile, Delhi Police personnel alleged that several cops were assaulted and had their uniforms torn by protesters. Delhi Police constable Ankit Kasana claimed he was surrounded, abused, and physically attacked by a mob before being rescued by colleagues. On the other hand, the opposition countered by alleging police brutality, claiming that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was thrown to the ground and scratched, while Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and other parliamentarians were also manhandled. Delhi Police sources stated that authorities are examining protest video footage to identify individuals involved in attacking personnel and obstructing duty, with an FIR set to be registered.

High drama unfolded in the national capital as Congress and INDIA bloc allies staged a flash protest marching towards Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged unilateral changes to Form 6 and voter disenfranchisement claims.

Opposition INDIA bloc Members of Parliament from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha hit the streets of Delhi on the second consecutive day of protests against Chief Election Commissioner Ganesh Kumar. Demonstrators, including key leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Derek O'Brien, and Mahua Moitra, boarded multiple buses holding placards against alleged vote chori and compromised election processes. The demonstration followed a strategic lunch meeting at Sagar Ratna where leaders gathered to draft a communication to the Election Commission of India. Opposition parties have raised three key demands: the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Ganesh Kumar, the suspension of the ongoing SIR exercise, and conducting future elections via ballot papers. Simultaneously, National Students' Union of India members gathered near the Janpath and Jantar Mantar area, initiating slogans alongside the march. In response, Delhi Police, Rapid Action Force, and Central Reserve Police Force personnel stepped up deployments and prepared detention buses amid prohibitory orders across the capital.

Delhi Police detained Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, Congress MP Praniti Shinde, and several INDIA bloc leaders following a protest march and a sit-in outside Akashvani Bhavan in New Delhi.

Opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc carried out a protest march from Parliament toward the Election Commission of India headquarters in New Delhi over voter list deletions under the Special Intensive Revision exercise.

Speaking from a police bus following her detention, Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra stated that opposition MPs were brutally manhandled and bundled into buses by Delhi Police while attempting to meet the Chief Election Commissioner. Moitra noted that a delegation of 278 elected Members of Parliament sought a formal meeting with Election Commissioner Ganesh Kumar, rejecting back-channel negotiations for only a small group to enter. Pointing out physical injuries sustained by female parliamentarians, Moitra called on citizens to mobilize, asserting, 'It's high time everyone got on the streets.' She emphasized that the opposition alliance will persistently continue its public protest until Ganesh Kumar resigns from his post.

High drama unfolded in the national capital as Delhi Police physically detained Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and several other opposition leaders after a nine-hour sit-in protest at Akashwani Bhavan on Sansad Marg. The protesters, who were demanding a direct meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of electoral malpractice, formed human cordons before being removed and boarded onto police buses. While Congress leaders insisted on continuing their demonstration until granted an audience, sources within the Election Commission stated that no formal request had been submitted for a meeting. Leaders from the INDIA alliance, including Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien, joined the agitation before police took action to clear the government premises after evening hours.

A massive face-off took place in central Delhi as leaders of various opposition parties launched a protest march towards the Election Commission of India. Key leaders including Priyanka Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Abhishek Banerjee were detained by police personnel and the Rapid Action Force, who barricaded the area around the Election Commission. The opposition demanded the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner following contentions surrounding modifications to Form 6. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by Deepender Singh Hooda, entered the adjacent Akashvani Bhavan complex through Gate 3, attempting to reach the poll panel's headquarters. After gates were barricaded by security forces to prevent an crossover, Rahul Gandhi sat under a banyan tree inside the Akashvani Bhavan premises, holding his ground as police cordoned off exit points. Traffic was heavily diverted around Parliament Street as detentions continued.

Leaders and Members of Parliament from the opposition INDIA bloc carried out a protest march towards the Election Commission of India headquarters in Central Delhi. Key leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Priyanka Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge, joined the demonstration demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and a halt to the ongoing SIR drive. The opposition has also demanded reverting to paper ballots instead of electronic voting machines and safeguarding transparent administrative appeal mechanisms against voter disenfranchisement. Ahead of the march, Central Delhi was placed under heavy security with barricades, Section 144 restrictions, and deployment of Delhi Police alongside Rapid Action Force personnel, blocking arterial roads around Ashoka Road. While around 140 opposition parliamentarians participated, parties like the Aam Aadmi Party and the DMK did not take part in the protest. The ruling party mounted a defence against the allegations as live visuals showed protesters attempting to navigate police barricades outside Akashvani Bhavan.

Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra has filed a police complaint at the Parliament Police Station in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Ganesh Kumar. Speaking on the matter, Moitra alleged that decisions conveyed by the Election Commission were falsified by one individual without majority consent, arguing that statutory immunity under Section 16 of the CEC and EC Act 2023 does not apply. The Election Commission dismissed the allegations, asserting that unanimous decisions were taken. Meanwhile, opposition leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, and Akhilesh Yadav, have demanded the CEC's arrest, alleging irregularities in electoral rolls and calling for past elections to be declared null and void alongside holding fresh polls.