Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the INDIA bloc was ready to provide evidence of alleged “vote theft” after meeting President Droupadi Murmu on Friday. Gandhi claimed the President had not denied the allegations but had asked for proof. He announced that Opposition leaders would approach the Supreme Court on Monday and submit a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India. The delegation demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), restoration of 13.3 crore deleted voters, a return to paper ballots and repeal of Assembly elections where it alleges conclusive evidence of electoral fraud exists. The BJP rejected the allegations, accusing the Opposition of political desperation.

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to consider identifying an alternative venue for peaceful demonstrations in Delhi, citing inadequate civic facilities at Jantar Mantar. During an emergency hearing ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) October 10 protest, Chief Justice Surya Kant noted that demonstrators face difficulties due to insufficient sanitation facilities, including public toilets. The court also highlighted congestion near government quarters and MPs’ residences, which creates administrative bottlenecks and restricts access for residents and visitors. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta pointed to difficulties for ambulances reaching emergencies during large gatherings. The Centre said the competent authority would examine the suggestion and consider a purpose-built protest site with better sanitation, capacity and medical access. (PC: X)

The Supreme Court on Friday barred a blanket shutdown of Delhi Metro services ahead of the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) Saturday rally demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. The court questioned Delhi Police’s decision to close 57 Metro stations, observing that the move would affect citizens’ rights to access public transport. It directed authorities to ensure there was no complete prohibition on Metro train movement and ordered wide publicity for a regulated operating arrangement to minimise inconvenience to commuters. The Centre said it would consider an alternative protest venue to Jantar Mantar, while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that Metro services would continue under suitable regulation. (PC: PTI)

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre over extensive restrictions imposed in Delhi ahead of the party’s planned October 10 protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In a post on X on Friday, Dipke alleged that authorities were inconveniencing millions of citizens instead of allowing students and young people to hold a peaceful demonstration at a designated protest site. He questioned the need for such extensive security measures and argued that the shutdown would disrupt ordinary people’s lives. Dipke’s remarks came amid heightened security arrangements in the national capital ahead of the planned protest. (PC: X)

Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has urged Indians working in the United States to return home and help build India following a US crackdown on the Green Card process. On October 8, the US suspended eight IT firms, including Microsoft, Tata, Wipro and Infosys, from participating in the Permanent Labour Certification (PERM) programme, a key step in employer-sponsored Green Card applications. US authorities said they would neither accept new applications nor process pending certifications involving the targeted companies. Reacting on X, Vembu said Indians had contributed significantly to America’s technological progress, but many Americans no longer wanted them. He acknowledged the disruption facing visa holders and urged them to build a future in India.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved a 24-hour mobile internet shutdown within a 4-km radius of the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing in New Delhi ahead of the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) protest on October 10. According to a Delhi Police Special Cell order issued on October 9, services across all technologies will remain suspended from 10 pm Friday until 10 pm Saturday. Telecom operators, including Airtel, Vodafone Idea, Jio and MTNL, have been directed to implement the restriction immediately. The order cites the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024, and the Telecommunications Act, 2023. The protest demands Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral roll revision irregularities. (PC: X)

Connaught Place may see widespread business closures on October 10 as traders prepare for a planned Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar. The New Delhi Traders Association has urged shops, offices and restaurants to shut as a precaution against potential violence, traffic disruptions and property damage. Police have denied permission for the demonstration, which seeks Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral roll revision irregularities. Separately, the Chamber of Trade and Industry has warned that repeated protests and transport restrictions are hurting festive-season business, estimating Delhi’s trade has fallen by 70 per cent. It has sought restrictions on demonstrations in major commercial areas until Diwali. (PC: X)

Madhya Pradesh Police detained at least 30 protesters travelling to Delhi for a demonstration scheduled for October 10 against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police intercepted the protesters at Bhopal, Itarsi and Gwalior, with participants reportedly coming from Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra. Authorities said the detainees were being counselled to return to their home states, citing concerns about public order. The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) had planned the protest at Jantar Mantar, but Delhi Police denied permission and imposed extensive security restrictions ahead of the demonstration.

Goa Police have registered an unnatural death case following the death of veteran Bollywood and Marathi actor Nana Patekar at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa. According to The Indian Express, Panaji Police received information from Manipal Hospital on Thursday morning, October 8, 2026, after the actor was brought to the hospital and declared dead. Police have initiated inquest proceedings under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Officials said cardiac arrest appeared to be the preliminary cause, but the exact cause of death would be established after the post-mortem report.

Delhi Police has issued a public advisory from a mosque in Old Delhi, urging residents to avoid unnecessary protests, rumours and provocative messages. The move comes amid ongoing demonstrations by Opposition groups demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called for a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10. Police officials told ThePrint that similar messages were being communicated through marketplaces and other gathering places. They said permission had not been granted for the planned large-scale mobilisation, describing it as an unlawful assembly and urging residents to maintain public order.