CEC row LIVE: NSUI demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and arrest
New Delhi: The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) held a symbolic protest at its headquarters on Raisina Road today, demanding the immediate resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of 'vote chori' and concerns regarding the sanctity of the electoral process. The protest was led by NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar and came amid continued demonstrations in the national capital over the issue, with several activists and leaders detained while protesting near Jantar Mantar over the last three days.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court declined to suspend Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar ex parte over allegations that key Special Intensive Revision (SIR) decisions were taken unilaterally and sought responses from the Union government, the Election Commission, and other respondents. The bench said it would examine the records before deciding on the allegations, noting that any decision found to violate the law could be annulled. The plea cited 14 objections allegedly recorded by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi and raised concerns over Form 6 changes, electoral-roll databases and the ECI’s decision-making process.
Earlier, the students' association AISA alleged that a journalist was detained after spending two days seeking registration of an FIR against ACP Vivek Bhagat. The organisation questioned the circumstances of Rosy’s detention while she was seeking action on her complaint.
Key Updates
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NSUI stages 'living dead' protest seeking Gyanesh Kumar's resignation; several detained
Several members of the NSUI were allegedly detained during their symbolic 'living dead' protest near their headquarters at Raisina Road on Monday, demanding the resignation and arrest of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The protest, led by NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar, was held on the road leading from their headquarters in Raisina Road to Jantar Mantar, with members portraying themselves as "living dead" to draw attention to what the organisation described as threats to voters' rights and the electoral process.
The protesters also carried placards with slogans such as "vote ki chori nahi chalegi, janta ki awaaz nahi dabegi" (vote theft will not be tolerated, the people's voice will not be suppressed).
- PTI
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"No surrender. No compromise," Neha Bora takes on X
If the past few days have not made it clear enough, let me put it plainly for the Delhi Police: This fight goes on at all cost. No surrender. No compromise. We fight this till the end.
— Neha (@neha_aisa) October 5, 2026 -
CJP lawyer alleges that Police registered FIR against the victims
"This is deeply concerning. People are standing outside the police station demanding registration of an FIR against an ACP in a molestation case. Instead of acting on the complaint, Delhi Police appears to be proceeding against the victim and those demanding action," CJP legal affairs head Ratna Singh wrote on X.
Update -I am informed that @DelhiPolice is registering an FIR against the victim and others, and is also considering seizing their phones.This is deeply concerning. People are standing outside the police station demanding registration of an FIR against an ACP in a molestation case. Instead of acting on the complaint, Delhi Police appears to be proceeding against the victim and those demanding action.The law is clear - when a woman approaches the police with information disclosing a cognizable offence such as sexual assault or molestation, the FIR has to be registered. An inquiry or investigation into the allegations comes thereafter; it cannot be used as a reason to refuse registration of the FIR.
— Ratna Singh (@whattalawyer) October 5, 2026 -
Congress accuses CEC of constitutional violations after SC notice
Congress accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of betraying the Constitution at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah after the Supreme Court issued notice to the Election Commission and Union government over a plea challenging its decision-making process. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the court had an opportunity to restore public confidence in the poll panel, citing allegations over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Form 6 changes and electoral-roll deletions. The Supreme Court declined to pass an interim order while seeking responses, with the plea alleging that Kumar exercised powers belonging to the Election Commission without the approval of the other two Election Commissioners.
-PTI
The Supreme Court today heard a petition seeking, among other things, the suspension of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.Based on the recent damning revelations regarding (1) the ad-hoc, illegal and slip-shod manner in which the SIR was taking place, (2) criticism from both sitting and retired Judges of the Supreme Court, (3) the vast and indiscriminate (and many obviously incorrect) deletions without adequate due process, the Supreme Court has a remarkable opportunity to restore public confidence in an institution vital to the integrity of our republic. As of now, the Supreme Court has chosen to seek a reply. It has chosen not to pass any interim order though.The Supreme Court has, in the past, trusted the ECI and the CECs to give a fair account of their running of the body. The Supreme Court would do well to note that that trust was based on decades of propriety and competent conduct starting with the late great Sukumar Sen, the first CEC who set the bar for how elections are to be conducted. None of that goodwill can be claimed by Gyanesh Kumar. This malicious Form 6 modification, which was originally implied to have the Supreme Court’s approval, is one such example of his underhanded and simply indefensible conduct. In reality, the CEC has not only lied but also violated the law and betrayed the Constitution in letter and spirit at the behest of the PM and the HM.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) October 5, 2026 -
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CJP says SC distances itself from CEC
CJP co-convenor Saurav Das claimed that Chief Justice of India Surya Kant had clarified that the Supreme Court did not approve changes to Form 6, which is used for registration of new voters. Das said the clarification was significant because the other two Election Commissioners had objected to the change, alleging it could lead to the 'harassment' of new voters, particularly Gen Z, and argued that the form could only be changed through amendments to law and election rules. He also cited an Election Commission press release dated September 26 stating that the declaration attached to Form 6 for SIR had been upheld by the Supreme Court and claimed the court had now rejected that interpretation.
🚨#Important: This is major! Today, the Supreme Court has distanced itself from one of Gyanesh Kumar’s illegalities.Chief Justice Surya Kant has said that the court DID NOT approve any changes in Form 6 (the form for registration of new voters). Remember that the other two Election Commissioners had objected to a change in the Form which they said was leading to “harassment” of new voters, especially the Gen Z who were being stopped from becoming registered voters. The Form could only be changed after a change in law and election rules.The more concerning part is that just one day after the Indian Express exposé on Gyanu, the Election Commission’s Press Release dated Sept 26 stated that “The declaration attached to Form 6 for SIR has been upheld by the SC”. But today, CJI Surya Kant has said NO!The Court that gave legal cover to Gyanu’s SIR process has put its hands up and said that they had nothing to do with Gyanu’s illegal action!Clock is ticking for Gyanu! Gyanu, it’s done bro.@Cockroachisback
— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) October 5, 2026 -
NSUI stages symbolic protest seeking CEC’s resignation
The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) staged a symbolic protest at its headquarters on Raisina Road, with members lying on white sheets to represent 'dead bodies' and demanding the resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of 'vote chori'. Led by NSUI national president Vinod Jakhar, protesters held placards including 'vote ki chori nahi chalegi, janta ki awaaz nahi dabegi' and said the demonstration highlighted what they described as Kumar’s 'downfall' and concerns over the sanctity of the electoral process.
-PTI
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SC declines ex-parte suspension of CEC Gyanesh Kumar
The Supreme Court declined to suspend Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar ex-parte over allegations that key Special Intensive Revision (SIR) decisions were taken unilaterally and sought responses from the Union government, Election Commission and other respondents. The bench said it would examine the records before deciding on the allegations and could annul any decision found to violate the law. The plea cited 14 objections allegedly recorded by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over Form 6 changes, electoral-roll databases and the ECI’s decision-making process.
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SC agrees to list pleas on allowing protests in Delhi
The Supreme Court agreed to list pleas seeking directions to Delhi Police to permit peaceful protests in the national capital. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said it would check whether similar matters were already pending before deciding on the listing. The plea alleged that citizens, students and office-bearers of registered political parties, including MPs, were being prevented from holding peaceful protests. The development comes amid protests against the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
-PTI
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Kharge reiterates Congress’ three ‘non-negotiable’ demands
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated the party’s three 'non-negotiable' demands: the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), and a return to ballot papers. He said Congress workers and INDIA bloc partners were protesting across the country over the demands. Kharge’s remarks came amid the wider political row over the Election Commission’s functioning and the SIR exercise, with Opposition parties alleging irregularities and the poll panel maintaining that its decisions on the SIR schedule were unanimous.
कांग्रेस पार्टी की 3 माँगे non-negotiable हैं। पहली, ज्ञानेश कुमार का इस्तीफ़ा दूसरी, SIR को रद्द करना तीसरी, Ballot Paper पर चुनाव कराना देशभर में कांग्रेस कार्यकर्ता और INDIA गठबंधन के साथी इन तीन मुद्दों को लेकर सड़कों पर हैं। जो भी Civil Society Members व Youth Organisations इन मुद्दों पर देश में जगह-जगह संघर्ष कर रहे हैं, हम उनके साथ हैं। दूसरी ओर भाजपा ने दिल्ली में महिला पत्रकारों का उत्पीड़न किया, वो बेहद निंदनीय है। तानाशाह बहुत घबराया हुआ है, ध्यान भटकाने के एक और अध्याय के लिए तैयार रहिए।
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) October 5, 2026 -
AISA alleges journalist detained while seeking FIR against ACP
The Students’ Association AISA alleged that woman journalist was detained after spending two days seeking registration of an FIR against ACP Vivek Bhagat. In a post on X, AISA cited a Supreme Court ruling that police must register an FIR when a cognizable offence is disclosed. The organisation questioned the circumstances of the journalist's detention while she was seeking action on her complaint.
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Adityanath defends SIR, calls removal of ineligible names essential
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said identifying and removing ineligible names illegally included in voter lists was essential for India’s security, unity and integrity. He said verification of entries involving deceased persons, those who had permanently shifted, and duplicate entries was necessary amid Opposition protests over the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
-PTI
भारत युगों से लोकतांत्रिक मूल्यों का संरक्षक रहा है।भारत निर्वाचन आयोग द्वारा संचालित विशेष गहन पुनरीक्षण (SIR) अपने लोकतांत्रिक विरासत को और सुदृढ़ करने का महत्वपूर्ण प्रयास है। मृतक, स्थायी रूप से स्थानांतरित और डुप्लीकेट प्रविष्टियों का नियमानुसार सत्यापन आवश्यक है।सभी जागरूक मतदाता ध्यान रखें कि मतदाता सूची में अवैध रूप से दर्ज अपात्र नामों की पहचान कर उन्हें नियमानुसार हटाना भारत की सुरक्षा, एकता और अखंडता के लिए अनिवार्य है।मेरी अपील है कि 18 वर्ष की आयु पूरी कर रहे प्रत्येक युवा साथी अपना नाम मतदाता सूची में अवश्य जुड़वाएं।आइए, शुद्ध, सशक्त और पारदर्शी मतदाता सूची के निर्माण में सहभागी बनें।
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) October 5, 2026 -
CJP founder says group will continue ‘peaceful’ resistance
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, retweeting Ashutosh Ranka’s post, said threats of UAPA or NSA cases and possible imprisonment would not deter them from their campaign. Dipke said the group is prepared to face months or years in jail and would continue to resist peacefully and non-violently.
If the Govt believes that the threat of UAPA, NSA or years behind bars will scare us into silence, it won’t. We are prepared to face whatever comes our way and, if necessary, spend months or years in jail, but we will not back off from our fight to save democracy.We follow the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi, and we will continue to resist peacefully and non-violently, no matter how much the State tries to intimidate us.
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 5, 2026 -
Muralidharan says vigilance case is against former PWD secretary
Keralam Health Minister K Muralidharan said the vigilance inquiry involving Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar relates to his tenure as the state’s PWD secretary in 2006, and not to his current position as CEC. He said several complaints had been made against Kumar when he was a government secretary, including by members of both the ruling party and the Opposition. Muralidharan said the case was not politically motivated and was taken up based on those complaints. Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had ordered a Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau inquiry into alleged irregularities during Kumar’s 2006 tenure.
-ANI
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Protester alleges police misbehaviour in Delhi
A protester in Delhi alleged that police were misbehaving with demonstrators and said they had gathered to seek an update on the status of their complaint after 48 hours.
-ANI
#WATCH | Delhi | A protestor says, "The police are misbehaving with us... We are here to ask for the status of our complaint after 48 hours..." https://t.co/W091Ld3qnV
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2026 -
Prithviraj Chavan calls for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s removal
Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan alleged that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had acted 'completely illegally' and violated parliamentary law governing the powers of election commissioners. Chavan called for Kumar’s immediate removal, citing written objections raised by two Election Commissioners over the CEC’s functioning.
-PTI
मुख्य निवडणूक आयुक्त म्हणून ज्ञानेश कुमार गुप्ता यांनी आपल्या कार्यकाळात जे काही केले आहे, ते पूर्णपणे बेकायदेशीर आहे. त्यांनी संसदेने केलेल्या कायद्याचे आणि सर्वोच्च न्यायालयाच्या आयुक्तांच्या अधिकाराबद्दलच्या निकालाचे उल्लंघन केले आहे.निवडणूक आयोगातील दोन आयुक्तांनी लेखी केलेल्या विरोधावरून मुख्य निवडणूक आयुक्तांच्या कार्यपद्धतीबाबत गंभीर प्रश्न निर्माण होत आहेत. मुख्य निवडणूक आयुक्त मनमानी कारभार करत असल्याच्या तक्रारींबाबत दोन निवडणूक आयुक्तांनी १४ पत्रे लिहिली आहेत. कायद्यात स्पष्टपणे नमूद आहे की, निवडणूक आयोगाचे निर्णय एकमताने किंवा बहुमताने घेतले जावेत. त्यामुळे दोन आयुक्तांनी बहुमताने व्यक्त केलेले मत हे आयोगाचा निर्णय म्हणून ग्राह्य धरले पाहिजे. श्री ज्ञानेश कुमार गुप्ता हे निवडणुकीतील पक्षपाती धोरणामुळे कोणाला बेकीयदेशिर पणे निवडणुका जिंकायला मदत करत होते. भारतीतील लोकशाही टिकवायची असेल तर त्यांची त्वरित हकालपट्टी केली पाहिजे. #ECI
— Prithviraj Chavan (@prithvrj) October 4, 2026 -
Ranka alleges arrest plan under NSA/equivalent positions
CJP co-convener Ashutosh Ranka alleged in a post on X on Monday that many have reached out to him informing that him along with Abhijeet Dipke and Saurav Das will be arrested anytime before October 10th under NSA/other equivalent provisions.
Multiple sources have reached out informing that @abhijeet_dipke @SauravDassss and I will be arrested anytime before 10th under NSA/other equivalent provisions.All three of us have been ready to go to Jail since June 6. There is no fear about it.But the ones hell bent on destroying this country should be the ones frightened. And they are. As Gandhi said, “violence and hatred stem from fear”. The govt is frightened, and that’s why it is resorting to violence.We are 30 year olds fighting for a better, more accountable India. We have nothing to lose. You can arrest us, beat us, even kill us. But you cannot stop us.“अगर मार भी दिया तो हमारी चिता से निकलने वाली आग तुम्हारे महलों को पिघला देगी।”
— Ashutosh Ranka (@AshutoshRanka) October 5, 2026 -
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Congress leader Jairam Ramesh reiterates demand for CEC resignation
Following Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan's views on what he says is the arbitrary disenfranchisement of voters, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday demanded the immediate resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Here is the bold Justice Ujjal Bhuyan speaking yesterday in NALSAR University in Hyderabad where he exposed the CEC lock, stock and barrel. If he has any sense of shame Gyanesh Kumar must quit right away. His ability to execute G2’s illegal orders have now made him a liability for the country.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) October 5, 2026-ANI
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Police detain protestors outside Parliament Street Police Station
Police detained protesters outside Parliament Street Police Station during the protest over an alleged incident of misconduct by a police officer involving a woman. The protesters also clashed with police at the site.
-ANI
#WATCH | Delhi | Police detain protestors protesting outside Parliament Street Police Station against an alleged incident of misconduct by a police personnel with a woman. https://t.co/NLA2dWsSzB
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2026 -
Protesters remain at Parliament Street Police Station
Protestors stayed outside the Parliament Street Police Station throughout the night. Early-morning visuals from outside the police station show protestors peacefully sitting and lying on the road. Yesterday, the same location witnessed a heated clash between the protestors and the Delhi Police.
-ANI
#WATCH | Delhi: Morning visuals from outside the Parliament Street Police Station, where people are staging a protest following an alleged incident of misconduct by a police personnel with a woman. https://t.co/lmdyrROYVD
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2026 -
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Rijiju hits back at Kharge over ‘illegal elections’ claim
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju hit back at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s 'illegal elections' claim, asking whether Rahul Gandhi and chief ministers of Congress-led state governments were also 'illegal'. Rijiju’s remarks came amid the wider political row over the Election Commission’s functioning and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Are you illegal MP Kharge ji? Is Rahul Gandhi ji an illegal MP? Are Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Keralam, Punjab, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand illegal? Stop insulting the Constitution of India.
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) October 4, 2026 -
Das alleges arrest plan, calls for October 10 mobilisation
CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das alleged in a post on X that the government was planning to arrest him, Abhijeet, Ashutosh, Ratna and other CJP leaders. He said such action would not stop the protests, called for people to continue fighting for their rights and future, and urged people across India to ensure the biggest mobilisation from October 10.
🚨URGENT NEWS🚨The government is planning on arresting me, Abhijeet, Ashutosh, Ratna and other Cockroach Janta Party leaders.If the government thinks that such dictatorial actions will work, then they are mistakened! The young generation has awakened. We appeal to everyone to continue fighting for our rights and future, with or without us. We have always been ready to face the jail or worse. But this will be a big mistake. The young will not tolerate this.The protests must continue. People of India should ensure the biggest mobilisation starting October 10th.@Cockroachisback
— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) October 4, 2026
JEE Advanced 2026: Women’s success rate hits six-year high, crosses 10,000 mark for first time
JEE Advanced 2026 saw a record 10,107 women qualify, with their success rate rising to 23.4%, the highest in six years, according to the IIT Roorkee report.
BJP names eight candidates for Uttar Pradesh Rajya Sabha polls
Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri and BL Verma, who are among the BJP members set to retire from the Rajya Sabha, did not find a mention in the list.
CJI observes Supreme Court did not approve modified Form 6; seeks records from ECI
The Supreme Court said it had not approved any modified version of Form 6 during SIR and sought authenticated records from the Election Commission.