Gyanesh Kumar news highlights: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to pass any interim order restraining chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar from functioning over allegations that he took several decisions unilaterally despite objections from the two other election commissioners (ECs).
Oct 5, 2026, 22:40:13 IST
Key Events

CEC Gyanesh Kumar on Sunday
Gyanesh Kumar news highlights: A delegation seeking to serve a ‘People’s Impeachment Notice’ on chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at the Election Commission of India on Monday said it was stopped by Delhi Police from reaching the ECI despite seeking an appointment. The delegation subsequently released the notice to the public at the Press Club of India.
The notice calls for Kumar’s resignation or removal from office, alleging violations of constitutional and statutory duties in the functioning of the Election Commission. It lists six charges, including alleged undermining of the Commission’s collective functioning, unauthorised alteration of Form 6, centralisation of electoral-roll administration through ECINET, mass disenfranchisement through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), conduct allegedly inconsistent with the EC’s independence and impartiality, and repeated breaches of statutory duty.
The delegation included former civil servants, diplomats and civil society activists, including former Delhi LG Najeeb Jung, former Union home secretary GK Pillai, former ambassador Ashok Sharma, former IB special director Yashovardhan Azad, activist Anjali Bhardwaj and social activist Yogendra Yadav.
Protests against Gyanesh Kumar
Protests against chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi spilled over to the fourth day on Monday with detentions of protesters and accusations from them dominating the protest arena. Amid the growing protests, the Supreme Court on Monday declined to pass any interim order restraining Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar from functioning over allegations that he took several decisions unilaterally despite objections from the two other election commissioners (ECs), saying it could not proceed on "assumptions" without first verifying the facts.
Protests against Gyanesh Kumar | Key points
-The protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar began on October 2, however, the detentions by security forces have triggered calls for extension of the agitation, with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) announcing a mega demonstration on October 10. Abhijeet Dipke's CJP led protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar from Mumbai's Shivaji Park on October 2.
-On Sunday, security officials and protesters clashed for at least three hours in central Delhi on Sunday, the third consecutive day of protests against chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. More than 120 people were briefly detained as police reiterated that no permission had been granted for the demonstrations. While protesters alleged they had been manhandled, police said they used minimum force.
-The protest was also escalated by the accusation of three women journalists against police officers of sexually harassing them during the protest against the Election Commission (EC) at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. Their complaints were forwarded to the crime branch for a detailed probe, the police said on Sunday. In a post on X, the Delhi Police said: “On October 3, during the protest in New Delhi area, while being in law and order situation, allegations of sexual harassment were made by three female journalists against police officers. The New Delhi district has received their complaints and the same are transferred to crime branch for fair and impartial enquiry.”
-On Monday, protests continued while an agitation outside Parliament Street Police Station in Delhi also continued parallelly over the allegations against police officers of sexually harassing journalists. Meanwhile, Congress's student wing NSUI also staged a symbolic protest near Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
-The Supreme Court on Monday refused to pass any interim order restraining CEC Gyanesh Kumar from functioning over allegations that he took several decisions unilaterally despite objections from the two other election commissioners (ECs), saying it could not proceed on "assumptions" without first verifying the facts.
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The notice calls for Kumar’s resignation or removal from office, alleging violations of constitutional and statutory duties in the functioning of the Election Commission. It lists six charges, including alleged undermining of the Commission’s collective functioning, unauthorised alteration of Form 6, centralisation of electoral-roll administration through ECINET, mass disenfranchisement through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), conduct allegedly inconsistent with the EC’s independence and impartiality, and repeated breaches of statutory duty.
The delegation included former civil servants, diplomats and civil society activists, including former Delhi LG Najeeb Jung, former Union home secretary GK Pillai, former ambassador Ashok Sharma, former IB special director Yashovardhan Azad, activist Anjali Bhardwaj and social activist Yogendra Yadav.
Protests against Gyanesh Kumar
Protests against chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi spilled over to the fourth day on Monday with detentions of protesters and accusations from them dominating the protest arena. Amid the growing protests, the Supreme Court on Monday declined to pass any interim order restraining Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar from functioning over allegations that he took several decisions unilaterally despite objections from the two other election commissioners (ECs), saying it could not proceed on "assumptions" without first verifying the facts.
Protests against Gyanesh Kumar | Key points
-The protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar began on October 2, however, the detentions by security forces have triggered calls for extension of the agitation, with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) announcing a mega demonstration on October 10. Abhijeet Dipke's CJP led protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar from Mumbai's Shivaji Park on October 2.
-On Sunday, security officials and protesters clashed for at least three hours in central Delhi on Sunday, the third consecutive day of protests against chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. More than 120 people were briefly detained as police reiterated that no permission had been granted for the demonstrations. While protesters alleged they had been manhandled, police said they used minimum force.
-The protest was also escalated by the accusation of three women journalists against police officers of sexually harassing them during the protest against the Election Commission (EC) at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. Their complaints were forwarded to the crime branch for a detailed probe, the police said on Sunday. In a post on X, the Delhi Police said: “On October 3, during the protest in New Delhi area, while being in law and order situation, allegations of sexual harassment were made by three female journalists against police officers. The New Delhi district has received their complaints and the same are transferred to crime branch for fair and impartial enquiry.”
-On Monday, protests continued while an agitation outside Parliament Street Police Station in Delhi also continued parallelly over the allegations against police officers of sexually harassing journalists. Meanwhile, Congress's student wing NSUI also staged a symbolic protest near Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
-The Supreme Court on Monday refused to pass any interim order restraining CEC Gyanesh Kumar from functioning over allegations that he took several decisions unilaterally despite objections from the two other election commissioners (ECs), saying it could not proceed on "assumptions" without first verifying the facts.
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Oct 5, 2026, 22:39:52 IST
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Oct 5, 2026, 21:34:41 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC on Monday defended the Election Commission amid the ongoing political row over Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, saying the poll panel is an independent constitutional institution and not a “neighbourhood committee” of the Congress party. Reacting to demands for the CEC’s resignation, she said the appointment of the Election Commission was carried out in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines and accused the Congress of spreading rumours while the country was discussing the transparency of the electoral process.
Oct 5, 2026, 21:06:22 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused Rahul Gandhi of misleading the public over Form 6 and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar. Patra said the Supreme Court did not declare Form 6 illegal but only agreed to examine a petition alleging it was modified. He also claimed the Election Commission had maintained that there was no change to Form 6 and that the attached declaration had been upheld by the Supreme Court.
On SIR, Patra said the June 24, 2025 Bihar SIR decision was unanimous among the three Election Commissioners and was later upheld by the Supreme Court, rejecting Gandhi's claim that there was disagreement within the poll panel. Patra alleged Gandhi's statements were aimed at creating confusion over the electoral-roll revision process.
Oct 5, 2026, 20:57:34 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: The delegation concluded that the allegations, taken together, amounted to “proved misbehaviour” under Article 324(5) and demanded Kumar’s removal as Chief Election Commissioner. The notice alleged that the actions had weakened electoral rights, public confidence and the institutional independence of the Election Commission. The allegations are those made by the delegation and do not by themselves establish wrongdoing by Kumar.
Oct 5, 2026, 20:10:42 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court issuing notice to the Election Commission and others on pleas seeking the suspension and prosecution of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over decisions related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Speaking in Tangmarg, Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah said he was “really happy” that the top court had taken note of the matter and expressed hope that it would examine the allegations and take note of what he described as mistakes made by the CEC.
Oct 5, 2026, 19:51:14 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: The Election Commission of India has termed as “fake news” claims that its press release dated September 26, 2026 had been taken down from the public domain. The ECI said the press release remains available on its official X account and urged people not to share unverified videos or claims.
The poll panel also advised users to verify information through credible and independently verifiable sources before accepting or sharing such claims. ECI’s official X post
Oct 5, 2026, 19:42:37 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Kerala Congress president Sunny Joseph said the meeting focused on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and what he described as mistakes by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He said the Congress and INDIA bloc were carrying out an agitation over the CEC’s “undemocratic attitude”, with Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs) set to take up the campaign in their respective states.
Joseph said Kerala would also hold further protests as part of the month-long programme announced by the Congress leadership. “We’ll be following that programme as per the direction of the AICC,” he said.
Oct 5, 2026, 19:13:26 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal on Monday announced a month-long nationwide campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, beginning October 10, under the slogan “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao”.
Oct 5, 2026, 19:06:25 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: An NDA delegation on Monday met Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer V Anbukkumar in Bengaluru and submitted a memorandum seeking action over issues related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, according to Karnataka BJP. (PTI)
Oct 5, 2026, 18:46:18 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal on Monday said the party would launch an “aggressive” nationwide campaign against what it calls “vote chori”. He said a meeting of Congress general secretaries in charge, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) presidents and frontal organisations was attended by party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who directed state and party leaders to intensify the campaign under the slogan “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao”.
Venugopal said Gandhi made it clear that the agitation would not be a short-term exercise and would continue until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is removed and what the party describes as flaws in the electoral system are corrected. “This agitation is not going to end tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. It has to be a continuous, aggressive campaign,” Venugopal quoted Gandhi as saying.
Oct 5, 2026, 18:39:13 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: On the Supreme Court’s remarks over changes made to Form 6 without approval, BJD MLA Dibya Shankar Mishra questioned the Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. He said doubts about the integrity of the Chief Election Commissioner and the electoral process had grown, particularly among Gen Z and educated youth. Mishra also questioned the deletion of lakhs of names from voter lists, asking whether those removed were Indian citizens and, if not, how many had been deported. He alleged that while lakhs of names had been deleted from the rolls, “not a single individual has been deported.” (ANI)
Oct 5, 2026, 18:20:49 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: An ex-civil services officers-led delegation seeking to serve a ‘People’s Impeachment Notice’ on CEC Gyanesh Kumar at the Election Commission of India on Monday said it was stopped by Delhi Police from reaching the ECI despite seeking an appointment. The delegation subsequently released the notice to the public at the Press Club of India.
The delgatio has accused him of violating constitutional and statutory duties in the functioning of the Election Commission. The document, filed by ex-bureaucrats, lists six charges, largely linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), electoral-roll administration and alleged political partisanship.
What is being demanded?
Resignation of Gyanesh Kumar: The notice asks the Chief Election Commissioner to resign, warning that failure to do so would lead to a demand for his removal through impeachment proceedings.
Charge I — Undermining collective functioning of the EC: The notice alleges that major decisions, including SIR, were taken without adequate discussion or approval by the full Election Commission. It cites reported objections by two Election Commissioners over meetings, agendas and minutes.
Charge II — Changing Form 6 without authorisation: It alleges that a modified Form 6 was used for electoral-roll revision despite objections within the Commission. The notice also objects to voters who were previously on the rolls being required to declare that they were seeking inclusion for the first time.
Charge III — Centralising electoral-roll administration through ECINET: The notice alleges that ECINET was used in a way that undermined the statutory role of Electoral Registration Officers. It questions the legality of the system and points to the later formation of an expert committee to examine its compliance with election laws.
Charge IV — Mass disenfranchisement through SIR: The notice alleges that the SIR was carried out on an unprecedented scale without adequate preparation, training or safeguards against wrongful deletions. It claims the process disproportionately affected women, poor people, migrants, minorities and elderly voters, and alleges that millions could have been excluded from the rolls.
Charge V — Alleged lack of independence and impartiality: The notice accuses Kumar of conduct that, according to its authors, creates an apprehension of political partisanship. It cites his public interventions involving opposition leaders and decisions surrounding SIR.
Charge VI — Repeated breach of statutory duty: The notice invokes Section 32(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, alleging a pattern of violations including unauthorised changes to forms, bypassing Electoral Registration Officers, use of allegedly questionable technology, non-disclosure of records and failure to correct known violations.
The notice argues that these allegations, taken together, amount to “proved misbehaviour” under Article 324(5) of the Constitution and calls for Gyanesh Kumar's removal as CEC. It frames the alleged actions as a threat to electoral rights, the independence of the Election Commission and public confidence in the electoral process.
The notice was served by a delegation comprising former bureaucrats, diplomats, civil society activists and political representatives, including former Delhi lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung, former Union home secretary G.K. Pillai, former ambassador Ashok Sharma, former Intelligence Bureau special director Yashovardhan Azad, former civil servant Ashish Joshi, activist Anjali Bhardwaj and political activist Yogendra Yadav. Other signatories listed include Aishe Ghosh, N Sai Balaji, Dinesh Srirangarajan, Sandeep Yadav, Amrita Johri and Anjali.
Oct 5, 2026, 18:11:30 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process began in Bihar and accused the Election Commission of acting in favour of the BJP. He claimed that two Election Commissioners had raised objections 14 times in 10 months but no action was taken. Yadav alleged that CEC Gyanesh Kumar was acting at the behest of BJP leaders and said this raised questions over the conduct of elections in Bihar, Bengal and other states.
Oct 5, 2026, 17:54:56 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav said people across the country had “lost faith” in Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He said the opposition had repeatedly raised concerns over the poll panel’s functioning and asserted that “no one can suppress the voice of the people in a democracy”. Yadav said the people and opposition parties would together push for Kumar’s resignation.
Oct 5, 2026, 17:47:47 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra accused CEC Gyanesh Kumar of lying over the changes to Form 6. Moitra demanded Kumar’s resignation and also called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to step down.
“Gyanesh lied. ECISVEEP’s press note of 26/9 said modified Form 6 was upheld by Supreme Court. Chief Justice in court today said unequivocally that NO modification had been okayed by Bench. Chor cannot escape immunity. He needs to go. And Modi needs to go,” she wrote on X.
Oct 5, 2026, 17:38:47 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Congress leader Karti Chidambaram said the Supreme Court’s notice to the Election Commission and Centre showed that concerns over the poll panel’s functioning were being taken up. He alleged that “unilateral decisions” were being taken in the ECI and criticised the redesign of Form 6 under the SIR process. “No one’s right to vote is dependent on the fact whether their parents were voters or not,” he said, alleging confusion and mass deletions during SIR. Chidambaram said the Supreme Court had “finally taken cognizance” of the concerns.
Oct 5, 2026, 17:31:03 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke questioned how Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar modified Form 6 without the Supreme Court’s approval and asked who ordered the changes. "How did Gyanu modify Form 6 without the Supreme Court’s approval? On whose orders did he do it?
This makes one thing clear: Gyanu was not acting independently. He was serving his political bosses, even if it meant putting their interests above the rule of law.
Gyanu is the biggest traitor of India," Dipke wrote on X.
Oct 5, 2026, 17:24:16 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Advocate Shailendra Mani Tripathi said the Supreme Court’s refusal to pass an interim order on the suspension of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar does not end his case. “I filed a criminal writ petition,” he said, alleging that around 16 lakh appeals were filed on behalf of the Election Commission in West Bengal despite objections raised by two Election Commissioners over the basis of those appeals.
Tripathi said he had sought an SIT probe into the matter and prosecution of those found responsible. “I demanded the constitution of an SIT to investigate these actions—which effectively amounted to a fraud committed against voters in defiance of the law—and to initiate prosecution against those found liable,” he said.
He added that the next hearing date has not been fixed yet and the court will proceed after receiving responses from the respondents. (ANI)
Oct 5, 2026, 17:18:19 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Members of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) staged a symbolic “living dead” protest near Jantar Mantar on Monday, with some protesters lying on the ground to portray what they described as the “death” of their votes amid allegations of irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The protesters said they were not allowed to enter Jantar Mantar and therefore staged the sit-in near the barricades put up by Delhi Police. The demonstration was part of the fourth consecutive day of protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with opposition parties and several organisations demanding his resignation over the SIR exercise.
Oct 5, 2026, 17:10:17 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Security tightened at Rafi Marg, Sansad Marg ahead of protest march by former bureaucrats to ECI. (PTI)
Oct 5, 2026, 17:04:33 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Delhi Police and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel subsequently detained more than 20 protesters and took them away in buses. NSUI alleged that its members were “brutally” arrested despite holding a peaceful protest.
“The Delhi Police is brutally arresting our NSUI comrades,” the student organisation said in a social media post, accusing the authorities of suppressing voices questioning alleged disenfranchisement.
Oct 5, 2026, 16:56:44 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Yogendra Yadav, an activist who was detained during protests at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, on Monday said he had failed to convince Delhi Police to allow a delegation to visit the Election Commission of India (ECI). Yadav said all routes to the poll panel had been barricaded, describing the ECI as a “fortress”. He said the delegation, comprising no more than 15 people, including retired civil servants, would instead hold a press conference at the Press Club at 5 pm. The delegation had planned to submit a “chargesheet and impeachment notice” against Gyanesh Kumar.
Oct 5, 2026, 16:46:38 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath backed the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR), calling it a vital step to strengthen India’s democratic system. He said verifying deceased, permanently shifted and duplicate entries was essential and urged all eligible voters aged 18 and above to enrol.
Oct 5, 2026, 16:30:53 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: A delegation of former civil servants and citizens was scheduled to visit the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday to submit a “people’s chargesheet and notice of impeachment” against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. However, with all routes to the ECI barricaded, the delegation will now address a press conference at the Press Club at 4:45 pm.
Oct 5, 2026, 16:25:38 IST
Gyanesh Kumar news LIVE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that CEC Gyanesh Kumar “changed Form 6 illegally and unilaterally” and accused him of abusing his position to help the BJP. Gandhi said those involved would be held accountable.
Home India news Gyanesh Kumar news highlights: Ex-bureaucrats, activists seek CEC’s impeachment, list 6 charges