Delhi Police Clears Congress November 1 Rally, Says No Request Received for Mock Impeachment
Delhi Police on Tuesday said they had received no request seeking permission for a proposed mock "public impeachment" of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 30 and November 1, denying reports that permission for the events had been refused.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh said the Congress had sought permission only for a rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, which was granted subject to several conditions. No separate request for a mock impeachment had been received, he said. The clarification followed reports in sections of the media that the police had refused permission for such an event.
According to the permission letter issued by the Central district police, the rally is scheduled to be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 1. The police have given a no-objection from the law-and-order perspective, subject to the organisers obtaining prior permission from the land-owning authority of the venue. Ramlila Maidan is a designated ground in central Delhi that has long hosted political rallies, protests and public meetings, and the police routinely attach safety, traffic and timing conditions to such gatherings.
The conditions include installing high-definition CCTV cameras at strategic points across the venue, including the entry and exit gates, the stage and the seating enclosures, along with a control room and five screens as part of the monitoring system. Organisers have also been asked to provide adequate water tankers and toilet facilities, including separate toilets for women, and to deploy sufficient volunteers to manage the gathering.
The police have directed the organisers to ensure that the rally remains peaceful and concludes by 5 p.m., with dispersal beginning thereafter. Overnight stays at the venue before or after the rally will not be permitted, and vehicles must be parked only at locations designated by the Traffic Unit.
The permission letter also states that no march will be allowed towards any location outside Ramlila Maidan. Organisers have been asked to submit the list of invitees and volunteers, a minute-by-minute programme, and details of buses to be used, including their registration numbers.
The police have further directed the organisers to ensure that no speeches disturb public harmony or contain inflammatory or intimidating content. If any such speech is made, the public address system must be switched off immediately and the speaker removed from the stage.
The letter warns that any breach of the conditions, or failure to comply with police directions, could lead to legal action against the organisers and the revocation of the permission granted.
