The Delhi Police registered a total of three FIRs naming Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in connection with the Opposition’s protest in the national capital on Wednesday, accusing
them of allegedly assaulting police personnel and obstructing government work, police sources said on Thursday.
Several other Congress leaders and party workers who participated in the protest were also named in the case.
According to the details, the allegations included assaulting police personnel, obstructing official duty, scuffling and misconduct.
The police were also examining the allegations and the role of those involved, news agency PTI reported, citing police sources.
According to the FIR details, the accused column remained blank, but the names of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra appeared in the details of the case.
The FIR follows a tense confrontation between Opposition leaders and Delhi Police during the protest. Rahul Gandhi led INDIA bloc leaders in the street demonstration and was detained along with several other MPs.
PTI reported that 91 people were detained during the protest, including multiple MPs and leaders.
The confrontation unfolded after Opposition leaders had held a lunch meeting at a South Indian vegetarian restaurant on Janpath and were travelling in buses towards Jantar Mantar for a surprise sit-in.
Police stopped the protesters midway, resulting in an intense face-off.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other women leaders were seen lying on the road while holding copies of the Constitution.
They were subsequently removed from the spot and taken into police buses amid slogans by Opposition members demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
MPs belonging to the Congress, Trinamool Congress, CPI-M, CPI, RJD, IUML and other parties were among those participating in the protest.
Protest Over SIR, Election Commission
The confrontation was part of the Opposition’s continuing campaign against the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
As the Opposition’s confrontation spilt onto the streets, INDIA bloc MPs attempted to proceed towards Jantar Mantar. Rahul Gandhi was seen trying to open a barricaded gate as police pushed the protesters back and detained several leaders.
Priyanka Gandhi later alleged that women police personnel had scratched her and thrown protesters to the ground.
The Opposition, meanwhile, maintained that it was exercising its democratic right to protest and seek answers from the Election Commission.
Rahul Gandhi said the Congress and INDIA bloc were prepared to repeatedly take to the streets, face arrests and legal cases in what he described as a fight to “save the Constitution and democracy”.
The Congress leader also said the Opposition would continue its agitation until Gyanesh Kumar resigned.
Congress Says FIRs Will Not Stop Protest
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said the party would not back down following the registration of FIRs against its leaders.
“Let them register thousands of FIRs, who is bothered about it? We are very much proud that we are fighting for retaining the democracy of this country,” Venugopal said, according to ANI.
Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda, whose name was also included in the FIR, said the Opposition would not be intimidated by the police action.
The Opposition has continued to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, while Congress has announced further protests at the state, district and block levels.
