A protest in Delhi on 7 October 2026 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar led to tension among demonstrators and police personnel. A few Delhi Police officers later said they were pushed, kicked and physically attacked in order to control the gathering.
The opposition has been protesting over the Election Commission and the reworking of electoral rolls. Police had imposed curfews on public gatherings in some parts of the capital.
Constable Alleges Nameplates Were Broken
Delhi Police constable Devender Sandhu described his experience during the protest. He said officers were asking protesters to leave the restricted area and board police buses.
The situation got tense when protesters began pushing the officers, Sandhu said. He said protesters broke police nameplates and took off caps from officers’ heads.
Sandhu also claimed that he was pulled from behind and pushed to the ground. He said he received injuries to his waist and the back of his head.
These are allegations made by the police personnel and should be taken into account in that light.
Other Officers Describe Clashes
Bhupender Ahlawat, head constable of the district police, had also claimed that police officers were pushed and kicked during the violence. He said officers kept helping protesters who fell down or dropped phones and other belongings.
Another constable, Ankit Kasana, alleged that he was attacked while police were trying to move a vehicle carrying Rahul Gandhi through the protest area.
Kasana claimed that a group surrounded him, tore his uniform and scratched and bit him. He was taken to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital for a medical examination.
DCP Says Youth Are Under ‘Wrongful Influence’
Delhi Police DCP Shrishti Pandey said the alleged attacks on police personnel are a serious concern.
Discussing the incidents, she said there appeared to be some form of “wrongful influence” leading young people towards such behaviour.
Pandey said attacking, abusing or attempting to bite or scratch police officers while they are performing their duties is unacceptable. She also said police personnel remained committed to their responsibilities.
#WATCH | Delhi: On INDIA Bloc protest and alleged assault on police, Head Constable Bhupender Ahlawat says, "... My wife saw it yesterday evening and called me, asking, Were you injured? Did someone hit you? I didn’t know what to say over the phone, so I told her, No, nothing like that happened. Later, she watched the video again and said, it did happen to you. And now it has appeared everywhere in the media, so we also have cameras and recordings from everywhere..."
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2026
Three FIRs Registered
Three FIRs were registered in connection with the Opposition's Wednesday protest, said Delhi Police.
The cases involve assault on police personnel, obstruction of government work, pushing and manhandling, and misbehaviour with police officers.
Police said other cases could also be registered as videos and other evidence are examined.
Protests Over Chief Election Commissioner
The meeting also came after protests from the Opposition against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Opposition leaders have been detained for protests in Delhi on October 6 and October 7.
The Opposition has raised concerns about electoral rolls and demanded action against the Election Commission.
The latest police allegations have added another layer to the political dispute, with both the conduct of protesters and the actions of police coming under scrutiny.
For now, police personnel’s allegations are still part of the investigation and legal process. Further details will be developed once video footage is reviewed and FIRs are investigated.
