The opposition leader and several MPs were booked after an hours-long sit-in at the headquarters of India’s state radio broadcaster
Indian police have reportedly filed a criminal trespassing case against opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and several other lawmakers who allegedly entered the headquarters of the country’s state radio broadcaster without permission during a protest in New Delhi.
The First Information Report by the Delhi police followed a complaint by the broadcaster’s staff alleging that the opposition leaders entered Akashvani Bhawan, the facility where the offices of All India Radio are located, without permission after police blocked their march toward the nearby Election Commission headquarters.
At least ten MPs and other identified protesters were named in the trespassing complaint, local media reported, citing unnamed Delhi police officials. The specific charges invoked have not been publicly released.
The opposition in the world’s largest democracy is protesting against the ongoing special revision of electoral rolls, amid public complaints that millions of eligible voters have been left out. The opposition parties marched on Tuesday demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
They have also demanded that the results be scrapped, that those who say they were wrongfully excluded be restored, and that Kumar step down as the election panel chief over alleged irregularities in the process.
After the march was stopped, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and other opposition leaders entered the Akashvani compound and staged a sit-in. They remained there for several hours, refusing to leave until a delegation was allowed to meet Election Commission officials, according to police.
About 260 people, including ten MPs who were detained during the demonstration, were released later. Congress Party legislator Imran Masood denied that Gandhi had forcibly entered the premises and said the police report would not deter the opposition from continuing its protests. The broader opposition campaign is continuing, with the leaders meeting in Delhi on Wednesday to discuss next steps.
Kumar has reportedly cancelled his official schedule for the next two days amid mounting pressure.
