More personnel posted at his Delhi home, ECI headquarters and personal detail as the Opposition presses for his resignation
New Delhi : Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s protection has been reinforced, with demonstrations over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls gaining momentum.
Media reports, quoting officials familiar with the matter, say extra security staff now guard his residence in the capital and the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters, and his close-protection team has also been enlarged.
The step reportedly came after protesters gathered near his homes in Delhi and Agra. A senior police official said the cover was raised once demonstrators managed to find his Delhi address, while a separate protest took place outside his family’s residence in Agra.
Kumar already holds Z+ category security. Officials said the latest enhancement followed a fresh review of the threat perception. Additional forces have also been placed at Nirvachan Sadan on Ashoka Road, reportedly including personnel from the CISF, CRPF, Rapid Action Force and Delhi Police.
Opposition Keeps Up the Pressure
Opposition parties and groups have continued their campaign against the SIR and against Kumar himself, claiming irregularities in the roll revision and calling on him to step down.
The agitation has stretched over several days, with INDIA bloc leaders holding demonstrations in Delhi. On October 6, Opposition MPs and leaders marched to the vicinity of the Election Commission headquarters, deepening the political stand-off over the exercise.
Earlier, on October 2, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) organised a large rally in Mumbai, which reportedly drew thousands who echoed demands for a rethink of the roll revision and for the CEC’s resignation.
The CJP has now declared an indefinite sit-in at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi beginning October 10, and student groups are expected to join it.
Why Security Has Been Raised
The Election Commission and the government have denied any wrongdoing, even as the Opposition and protest groups keep questioning how the revision is being conducted.
The tighter security is being read against the backdrop of both the protests near Kumar’s residences and the continuing demonstrations around the ECI headquarters.