Delhi shuts 57 metro Stations, suspends mobile internet ahead of protest

Delhi has imposed extensive security restrictions ahead of Saturday’s planned protest at Jantar Mantar, deploying 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel, closing entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations and suspending mobile internet services in a designated area.

Police have also intensified checks at the capital’s borders, railway stations, bus terminals, hotels and other sensitive locations to prevent an unauthorised gathering and maintain law and order.

Mobile internet services will be suspended within a 4-kilometre radius of Jantar Mantar from 10 pm on October 9 to 10 pm on October 10, sources said. The Union home ministry has approved the decision. Internet services in the rest of Delhi will remain unaffected.

The security measures have been introduced ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s proposed October 10 demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Kumar faces allegations of voter-list tampering under the guise of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and of bypassing his two colleagues to alter Form 6, a key document required to register as a voter.

Delhi Police denies permission for protest

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Joint Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad said permission had been denied for the proposed October 10 demonstration because the application was submitted at short notice and concerns had been raised over compliance with rules during an earlier protest.

She said the application seeking permission was submitted on October 7, just three days before the planned gathering. Under the rules, such applications must be submitted at least 10 days in advance.

Police said the application did not meet the stipulated notice period. They also cited concerns about the conduct of the July demonstration and alleged non-compliance with directions issued by the authorities.

The security arrangements are intended to prevent protesters from staging an unauthorised sit-in at Jantar Mantar and to stop large groups from converging on sensitive locations or moving towards areas where demonstrations are not permitted.

57 metro stations to remain closed

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced restrictions at 57 stations, with entry and exit gates scheduled to remain closed from 9 pm on Friday until further notice.

The restrictions will continue on October 10. Interchange facilities will remain available at all affected stations except New Delhi metro station, according to the DMRC.

The affected stations include Rajiv Chowk, New Delhi, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Janpath, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Supreme Court, Indraprastha, ITO, Delhi Gate, Khan Market, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Hauz Khas and INA.

PTI INFOGRAPHICS | UPDATE: 45 Delhi Metro stations to stay shut ahead of Oct 10 protest

Entry and exit gates at 45 Delhi Metro stations, including Rajiv Chowk, New Delhi, Central Secretariat and Kashmere Gate, will remain closed from 9 pm on Friday till 6 pm on Saturday due to security reasons ahead of a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar.

In a revised update, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) cut the list from the 57 stations announced earlier and said the situation will be reviewed by security agencies, while the interchange facility will remain available at all the concerned stations except New Delhi.

Here is a look at the revised list of stations.

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 9, 2026

Other stations on the list include Shaheen Bagh, Jamia Millia Islamia, Okhla Vihar, Kalindi Kunj, Lajpat Nagar, Ashram, Sarai Kale Khan-Nizamuddin, Welcome, Shahdara, Rithala, Rohini, Azadpur and Shivaji Stadium.

The restrictions could disrupt daily travel for office-goers, students, shoppers and other commuters who rely on the metro. Passengers have been advised to check official announcements before travelling.

Railway services and traffic may be affected

Railway services are also expected to face disruption. Several trains scheduled to arrive at or depart from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm on Saturday were reported cancelled.

Police have warned of the possibility of restrictions on vehicles entering New Delhi after 6 am on Saturday. The decision will depend on the security assessment and the situation on the ground, police sources said.

Security personnel will conduct checks at bus terminals across the capital, monitoring passengers and vehicles arriving from neighbouring states.

The airport and its approach roads are also expected to remain under heightened security, with additional checks and surveillance. Travellers heading to the airport have been advised to account for possible congestion and security checks.

Hotels, lodges, guest houses and dharamshalas are being checked as part of the preventive security exercise. Additional security cameras have been installed at the capital’s borders, where surveillance has been stepped up.

Liquor shops across Delhi have been ordered to remain closed on October 9 and 10 as a preventive measure.

25,000 personnel deployed across Delhi

The New Delhi district has been divided into 20 zones to strengthen security and maintain law and order.

Each zone will be monitored by a Joint Commissioner of Police, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and an Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, sources said.

Special Commissioners of Police heading various units will also monitor the zones and coordinate with senior officers to respond to any law-and-order situation.

Delhi Police has conducted mock drills at several locations as part of its preparations. More than 120 companies of Central Armed Police Forces are expected to be involved in the security arrangements.

Police said personnel would remain on alert throughout Saturday and respond to any incidents, including crowd build-up, traffic obstructions and attempts to breach barricades.

Social media monitoring intensified

Police have stepped up monitoring of social media platforms amid concerns about mobilisation for the protest.

More than 200 content creators have reportedly come under scrutiny in connection with efforts to mobilise supporters. Police teams are examining online posts and messages relating to the proposed demonstration, gathering points and mobilisation efforts.

Officers will also keep a close watch on people associated with the protest and assess attempts to bring supporters to the capital through social media platforms.

Police are issuing appeals from various mosques and temples, urging people to maintain peace as security measures remain in force.

The authorities are expected to monitor developments throughout Saturday, with restrictions and security arrangements aimed at preventing unauthorised gatherings and maintaining order across the capital.

(With inputs from news agencies)