INDIA Bloc Marches to Supreme Court as Delhi Locks Down: Six Metro Stations Shut, 200-Plus Reported Detained Over "Vote Chori" Protest
Opposition INDIA bloc leaders began their "Chalo Dilli – March for Democracy" toward the Supreme Court in New Delhi on Monday, October 12, 2026, as police tightened security across central Delhi. Reports say more than 200 protesters were detained, though Wipidia could not independently confirm that figure. The march demands a halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged "vote chori."
The march
The march was set to start from Barakhamba Road. Inkl, summarising reporting, said protesters toppled barricades and moved toward Barakhamba Road after Rahul Gandhi's call. India TV reported that the leaders planned to submit a memorandum to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on "vote chori" and a pause to the SIR, and described a plan to approach the Supreme Court. Leaders expected to take part, according to Daily Jagran, included Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, Manoj Jha and KC Venugopal.
The march follows the CJI's decision, reported on Sunday, to decline a meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Kharge because the issues are before the court and any grievance should be raised judicially.
Security and metro closures
- Metro: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation closed entry and exit at six stations from 6 AM to 4 PM: Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road. DMRC cited security reasons.
- Deployment: Delhi Police, along with CRPF and Rapid Action Force personnel, were deployed near Mandi House, Barakhamba Road and other key locations, with barricades set up at multiple points.
- Traffic: Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory and said diversions and restrictions could be imposed depending on the situation.
Detentions
Reports relayed to Wipidia put the number of detained protesters at more than 200. The sources reviewed for this story did not give a police figure, and details on who was detained and where they were taken were not available at the time of writing.
Background
The INDIA bloc has built a week of protests around the SIR. On Friday, October 9, a delegation including Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee and Supriya Sule met President Droupadi Murmu to raise irregularities at the Election Commission. On Saturday, the Cockroach Janta Party's Jantar Mantar protest drew a heavy police response, with leaders including Abhijeet Dipke, Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee detained. The Election Commission has rejected the allegations, saying the SIR removes duplicate and ineligible voters.
Quick Facts
| Event | INDIA bloc "Chalo Dilli – March for Democracy" to the Supreme Court |
| Date | Monday, October 12, 2026 |
| Start point | Barakhamba Road, New Delhi |
| Demands | Halt SIR; resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar |
| Metro closures | Six stations, 6 AM to 4 PM: Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, Barakhamba Road |
| Security | Delhi Police, CRPF and RAF deployed; barricades |
| Detentions | More than 200 reported; not independently confirmed |
| CJI's position | Declined a meeting; advised approaching the court judicially |
| Election Commission | Rejects allegations |
This is a developing story based on reports from The Week, Daily Jagran, India TV, Inkl and others as of October 12, 2026, and may be updated.