The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has condemned the police crackdown on protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging mass detentions, assaults on demonstrators and restrictions on internet and public transport services in Delhi and several other states.
In a statement, PUCL demanded the immediate release of those still detained, withdrawal of FIRs against peaceful protesters and a time-bound judicial inquiry into the alleged police excesses. The demonstrations on October 10 and 11 were organised by student groups, Left parties and other organisations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and withdrawal of the SIR exercise.
“Citizens asking questions about the integrity of the voters’ list were met not with answers, but with lathis, police vans and detention camps,” the organisation said.
The statement was issued by PUCL president Kavita Srivastava and national general secretary Dr. V. Suresh.
Nearly 7,000 reportedly detained in Delhi
PUCL claimed that nearly 7,000 people were detained in Delhi on October 10. Those allegedly detained included economist Jean Drèze, activist Yogendra Yadav, former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and lawyers marching from the Supreme Court towards Jantar Mantar.
The organisation alleged that women lawyers were manhandled, minors were detained and beaten, and several police personnel on protest duty were not wearing name tags or rank insignia.
It also criticised restrictions imposed in the capital, including prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), a reported internet suspension near Janpath–Kartavya Path and closures of metro and railway stations.
PUCL said these measures violated the spirit of the Supreme Court’s October 9 order concerning transport restrictions. It also raised concerns over the alleged deployment of facial recognition systems, drones and other surveillance equipment against protesters.
MP John Brittas allegedly assaulted
The statement highlighted the alleged assault on Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, who was reportedly detained near Connaught Place on October 11 while students and Left organisations resumed their protests.
According to PUCL, Brittas alleged that security personnel forced him into a vehicle, pushed him under a seat and beat him despite his identifying himself as a Member of Parliament. The organisation said he was later admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital for scans related to chest injuries.
PUCL also cited reports that SFI national president Adarsh M. Saji sustained a forehead injury, while other student leaders were allegedly assaulted. CPI general secretary D. Raja and Annie Raja were among those reportedly detained.
The organisation alleged that Delhi Police had registered 20 FIRs against protesters and demanded action against personnel accused of assaulting demonstrators.
Crackdown alleged across states
PUCL said the restrictions extended beyond Delhi. It alleged that students travelling from Pune were removed from trains at Itarsi, Bhopal and Gwalior, with at least 30 young people intercepted in Madhya Pradesh. The families of two women detained at Itarsi reportedly approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court through habeas corpus proceedings.
The statement also cited alleged detentions and house arrests in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Chandigarh and Gujarat.
In Ahmedabad, PUCL alleged that police personnel visited students’ and professors’ homes, sought undertakings against participation in protests and detained nearly 100 students, academics, journalists and activists on October 10.
The organisation maintained that peaceful assemblies should not require prior state permission as a condition for exercising fundamental rights.
PUCL Cites Supreme Court Directions
PUCL said the Supreme Court, during an urgent hearing on October 11, issued notice in a habeas corpus petition concerning the reported detention of approximately 7,000 people and addressed restrictions on peaceful assemblies, internet services and access for lawyers and journalists.
The organisation also said the court found a prima facie case of contempt concerning the alleged violation of its October 9 order. The precise scope of the directions requires confirmation from the official court record.
Citing the Supreme Court’s 2016 judgment in Anita Thakur v. Government of Jammu and Kashmir, PUCL reiterated the constitutional protection afforded to peaceful protest and freedom of expression.
Five-point Demand
PUCL has demanded the release of all remaining detainees, withdrawal of FIRs against peaceful protesters, prosecution of personnel accused of assault and a judicial inquiry fixing responsibility across the chain of command.
It has also sought an end to mass surveillance of protesters, strict enforcement of police identification requirements, disclosure of the legal grounds for restrictions and compliance with the Supreme Court’s October 9 and 11 orders.
Urging the Supreme Court and High Courts to hold the authorities accountable, PUCL called for scrutiny of the matter at the next hearing scheduled for October 13.
Concluding its statement, the organisation said: “Their right to speak, assemble and dissent under Articles 19(1)(a) and (b) and 21 is not a gift of the State — and it will not be surrendered.”
This report is based on the PUCL statement dated October 11, 2026. Allegations and figures cited by the organisation have not been independently verified for this report.
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