New Delhi: Delhi Police have lodged an FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with other opposition parliamentarians, for allegedly trespassing into the Akashvani Bhawan complex without authorisation during Tuesday’s demonstration against the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The case was registered on Wednesday after All India Radio officials filed a complaint, accusing the INDIA bloc leaders of forcing their way into the restricted premises on Parliament Street and staging an extended sit-in despite being asked to leave.
Police said no permission had been granted for the opposition’s march from Parliament House towards the ECI headquarters, and when protesters refused to vacate the Akashvani compound, they were detained late at night and shifted to the New Police Lines at Kingsway Camp.
Eight-Hour Protest, Detained, Freed After 10 PM
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and several other MPs were held after more than eight hours of protest inside the Akashvani Bhawan premises, as reported by ETV Bharat. They were released shortly after 10 pm. Priyanka was later seen scaling a gate at the Kingsway Camp police lines to rejoin supporters outside.
The agitation forms part of the INDIA bloc’s intensified campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which opposition parties have dubbed “vote chori” and are using to demand his removal.
During the protest, Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat of having “hijacked” the country with the CEC’s help, and said about 300 MPs wanted to meet Kumar to press their concerns.
ECI Labels MPs’ Proposal ‘Unusual’
In a statement issued late on Tuesday, the Election Commission said it had received no appointment request from any political party through authorised representatives until 4 pm. Around that time, Delhi Police informed the poll panel that a delegation of 240 MPs led by Rahul Gandhi intended to meet the Commission and hand over a memorandum.
The ECI termed the proposal “unusual” because the opposition wanted the meeting at the Parliament House Annexe, while its rules require such interactions to be held only at its own premises, Nirvachan Sadan.
The Commission said it offered, as an “unprecedented” step, to send its most senior officer on duty to the suggested venue to receive the memorandum, but this was declined by the MPs.
While police have not publicly disclosed the precise penal sections invoked, the FIR focuses on alleged unauthorised entry and protest inside a government-controlled facility following Akashvani staff’s complaint.