CPM MP John Brittas detained and allegedly assaulted during Delhi protest

Communist Party of India (Marxist) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas was detained and allegedly assaulted by security personnel in New Delhi on Sunday, amid mounting opposition protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Video footage showed personnel dragging Brittas away while he was speaking to reporters. Brittas said officers pinned him down inside a police vehicle and attempted to choke him, despite his repeated warnings that he was a Member of Parliament. He was later left by the roadside in distress before being assisted into an autorickshaw.

Allegations of police brutality during anti-CEC demonstrations

The detention of Brittas took place during the second consecutive day of protests organised by the CPI(M) and the Students Federation of India (SFI). Demonstration leaders alleged widespread police brutality inside transport vehicles. SFI national president Adarsh M Saji and other activists sustained visible injuries during the enforcement action, with the student organisation describing the police response as systemic harassment.

The protests stem from widespread opposition allegations regarding discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists overseen by Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Security forces heavily fortified central Delhi, including Jantar Mantar, after authorities denied permission for demonstrations.

Over 7,000 detained in Delhi security clampdown

More than 7,000 protesters have been detained across multiple locations in the national capital over the weekend, according to officials. The sweeps have targeted several prominent political figures.

Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal was detained for nearly six hours at Jafarpur Kalan police station on Saturday. Former chief ministers Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan, and Manik Sarkar were also among those taken into custody during demonstrations.

Flight detentions and court releases

In a related development, three leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party—Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka, and Saurav Das—were released by a Special Executive Magistrate Court on Sunday. Delhi Police had preventively arrested the trio under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita after officers entered their flight from Mumbai as it landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Saturday.

Police confirmed the three were released after furnishing a surety bond of 50,000 rupees each, conditioned on maintaining peace for one year.