4 former chief ministers were detained in Delhi on Saturday as police cracked down on protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar were among those detained while trying to join the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar. Banerjee was detained along with five Trinamool Congress MPs after staging a protest in central Delhi. “The government is misbehaving with us,” she said in a video message. Kejriwal urged young people to continue protesting against alleged vote theft. Several opposition and student leaders were also detained.  

Actor Imran Khan was detained by Mumbai Police on Saturday during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He was taken into custody at August Kranti Maidan, where people had gathered in support of the Cockroach Janta Party’s protest in Delhi. Before his detention, Khan said he had come as a citizen to question restrictions on movement and the suppression of people’s voices. He said he had no demands and was not part of any organisation. Earlier, at least 200 protesters were detained at the same location. The number later rose to over 400.  

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has warned that he may launch a hunger strike or a march if protesters detained in Delhi are not released by Sunday. He called the situation in India an “undeclared emergency”. The detentions came during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged election irregularities. Several leaders and activists, including CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, Yogendra Yadav and Dhruv Rathee, were detained. Wangchuk said he had hoped for unity and peace during the protest. He had earlier led a 26-day hunger strike in July over alleged examination irregularities.  

More than 3,000 people have been detained across Delhi during protests called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The party and the All India Students’ Association (AISA) called for a gathering at Jantar Mantar. They are protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of voter list manipulation. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and several party leaders were also detained after their flight landed in Delhi. Former chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar were among those detained. Heavy security was deployed across the capital.

US President Donald Trump has announced a deal to import Russian diesel, drawing criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky called the move a gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He warned that the deal could help prolong the war in Ukraine. Trump said Russia would release 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, followed by further supplies in the coming months. The US Treasury has temporarily suspended sanctions on Russian diesel exports until April 7. However, analysts doubt the deal will significantly lower fuel prices in the US. The announcement has also raised concerns among Ukraine’s allies.  

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case into the alleged hijacking attempt aboard FlyDubai Flight FZ1073, following a directive from the Central Government on October 10. The incident occurred on September 30 during a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight carrying 174 passengers and six crew members. The Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit, inflicting serious head and hand injuries. The aircraft reportedly made a sudden descent before diverting to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The investigation will examine the alleged attack and possible security implications. (PC: X)

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on October 10 urged supporters to march towards Delhi’s Jantar Mantar despite police restrictions and the denial of permission for its planned demonstration. Following the detention of key organiser Abhijeet Dipke, CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde called on protesters to continue their mobilisation, declaring that wherever police stopped them could become their protest site. The demonstration seeks Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Delhi Police deployed heavy security and barricades, citing public safety and law-and-order concerns. (PC: HT)

BJP national spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra on October 10, 2026, criticised the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, asserting that the demonstration did not represent India’s broader mood. He accused the protesters of attempting to create unrest and described the agitation as a “flop show.” Patra maintained that India was progressing peacefully under what he termed good governance. The protest targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with demonstrators demanding his resignation over alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions. Authorities detained several protesters and leaders amid extensive security restrictions across Delhi. (PC: ANI)

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) released a pre-recorded video of founder Abhijeet Dipke on October 10, 2026, after Delhi Police detained him and fellow leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka upon their arrival from Mumbai. Anticipating possible detention, Dipke had recorded the message the previous night, naming organisation in-charge Ajinkya Shinde to lead the movement in their absence. The protest at Jantar Mantar targets Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral roll revisions. Shinde urged supporters to continue protesting despite police restrictions and detention of party leaders.

India strongly criticised Pakistan at the United Nations on October 9, 2026, warning that nuclear weapons must not be used as routine instruments of statecraft. Responding after Pakistan raised Jammu and Kashmir, Indian representative Anmol Sher Singh Bedi asserted that India would not bow to nuclear blackmail. He reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and warned that any terrorist attack would receive a fitting response. India also defended Operation Sindoor as an act of self-defence and raised concerns about cross-border terrorism, nuclear proliferation and the Indus Waters Treaty. (PC: The Hindu)