Security arrangements were tightened in Delhi on October 2 in anticipation of a planned protest march at Jantar Mantar in the city against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. With regard to the planned gathering, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) decided to temporarily shut down entry and exit points at 11 metro stations located in central Delhi.

These metro stations include Janpath, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk, Seva Teerth, Mandi House, Lok Kalyan Marg, INA, Chawri Bazar, Ramakrishna Ashram Marg and New Delhi. But, passengers will still be able to switch metro lines from the Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, INA, New Delhi and Central Secretariat stations as the interchange points remain open there.

The security arrangements followed the rejection of the permission request by Delhi Police for the proposed protest march at Jantar Mantar. It has been organized by All India Students’ Association (AISA), Rajya Sabha member Manoj Jha and Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan. According to them, the planned protest march has been called in connection with electoral roll and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) concerns as well as taking action regarding Chief Election Commissioner.

There have been prohibition orders as per section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in various parts of New Delhi. Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Force officials were posted in and around Jantar Mantar and other crucial places, with barricades being erected at various points for controlling movement.

The Delhi Traffic Police has come out with a different set of guidelines regarding the regions such as Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, Tolstoy Marg, Parliament Street, and Jantar Mantar streets. Passengers were informed that they should not use the concerned stretches, if possible, and should plan their travel well in advance.

The metro guidelines and traffic guidelines greatly influenced the movement in central Delhi.