The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced the closure of entry and exit gates at six metro stations from 6 am to 4 pm on Monday, October 12, citing security reasons, as Opposition parties prepare to march to the Supreme Court against alleged “vote chori”.
In a late-night post on X, the DMRC said entry and exit would remain closed at Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road. Interchange facilities will remain available at all six stations.
The DMRC said the situation would be reviewed by security agencies and further updates would be issued accordingly.
DMRC on X
The restrictions come as Opposition parties under the INDIA bloc prepare to hold a protest march to the Supreme Court, demanding action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of electoral malpractice.
The protest, titled “Chalo Delhi – March for Democracy”, is expected to press for Kumar’s resignation, a halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a return to the paper ballot system.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leaders of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively, had sought an appointment with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant between 4 pm and 5 pm on Monday to submit a memorandum outlining their concerns.
However, sources told India Today that the CJI declined the request, citing the fact that similar matters were already pending before the Supreme Court. His response was emailed to both leaders, the sources said.
According to the sources, the CJI told Gandhi that no orders could be passed on the administrative side and advised him to approach the court through the judicial process. The matter could be taken up on Tuesday, the sources added.
Rahul Gandhi said Opposition parties, youth groups, civil society organisations and others who believe in democracy and the Constitution would participate in the march. In a post on X, he alleged that young protesters who demonstrated peacefully in Delhi on Saturday were beaten by police personnel and BJP supporters.
“Tomorrow, we will march to the Supreme Court as Indians, united beyond party, gender, caste, community and state,” Gandhi said.
The Congress said its leaders would gather at the Connaught Place-Barakhamba Road junction at 1.30 pm for the protest.
The latest demonstration follows an INDIA bloc march from Parliament to Vijay Chowk on Friday, after which Opposition leaders submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu.
With security agencies reviewing the situation, commuters have been advised to factor in the temporary restrictions at the six metro stations while travelling through central Delhi on Monday.
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