Crime & Law · India
Protests and Legal Challenges Erupt Over Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
Student leaders and activists were detained during a protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Congress party organized nationwide protests demanding his resignation, with some activists, including Gaurav Gogoi, being detained. In Delhi, police used water cannons on protesters. A plea was filed in the Supreme Court seeking criminal prosecution of Gyanesh Kumar over alleged decisions by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and changes to Form 6. Another Supreme Court plea seeks an SIT probe into 13 crore voter deletions, linking it to the "SIR row." P. Chidambaram of the Congress demanded the Election Commission make public files related to its decisions, questioning the process and asking for public disclosure if decisions were made by consensus. A petition in the Supreme Court questions Gyanesh Kumar's immunity pin and his ability to use it, with Rahul Gandhi urging him to "turn approver" in a case of alleged manipulation of voter rolls. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) threatened agitation if Gyanesh Kumar does not resign by a specific date. One report cited an individual claiming even BJP leaders lost elections due to Gyanesh Kumar, while another mentioned a Bengal BJP Chief suggesting Gyanesh Kumar deserves a Padma Bhushan for poll management.
How outlets across the spectrum covered it
- Left (4): National Herald, Satya Hindi, Scroll.in, The Telegraph (India)
- Centre (16 votes, 17 outlets): Amar Ujala, Deccan Chronicle, Deccan Herald, EastMojo, Greater Kashmir, Hindustan (Hindi) · Hindustan Times (HT Media — 1 vote), Jansatta, LiveLaw, Mathrubhumi English, NDTV, Outlook India, The New Indian Express, The Print, The Quint, The Statesman, The Times of India
- Right (5): India Today, Republic World, Swarajya, The Pioneer, Times Now