The Delhi government on Thursday directed the closure of liquor stores across the national capital on October 9 and 10 in view of the "prevailing" situation and as a preventive measure to maintain public order.
An order issued by the Excise Department said the closure of liquor vends was based on inputs from the Delhi Police and was aimed at maintaining public order.
The decision comes amid ongoing protests by opposition parties demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of "vote theft".
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has also called for a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 against Gyanesh Kumar amid the ongoing row over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
More than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across Delhi ahead of the CJP protest, a senior police officer said on Thursday.
The officer said no permission has been granted for any protest at Jantar Mantar and appealed to people to avoid participating in any unauthorised gathering.
The liquor shops will remain closed across Delhi on both October 9 and 10 as authorities step up security across the city.
Why are protests being held against CEC Gyanesh Kumar?
The protests come amid a wider political row over the Election Commission and the SIR exercise. Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls and have demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The Election Commission has rejected the allegations and maintained that the SIR exercise is aimed at ensuring that eligible voters are included in the electoral rolls while ineligible entries are removed.
The CJP protest at Jantar Mantar is part of a series of demonstrations being planned against the Election Commission.
The Delhi Excise Department, Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, in a circular dated October 8, 2026, ordered the complete closure of all retail liquor vends operating in Delhi under licences in Form L6, L6 & L6 FG, L8, L10 and L8 & L14 on October 9 and 10, 2026, citing the prevailing situation and inputs received from Delhi Police as a preventive measure aimed at maintaining public order.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 8, 2026
The party had also organised a protest in Bengaluru on October 8, where YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and actor-activist Prakash Raj joined other campaigners.
Delhi security tightened ahead of CJP protest
With the proposed protest scheduled for October 10, security has been significantly tightened across the national capital.
More than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed at key locations, while authorities are monitoring the situation to prevent any law-and-order issues.
Delhi Police has reiterated that permission has not been granted for the proposed gathering at Jantar Mantar and has urged people not to participate in unauthorised protests.
Indian Youth Congress moves Delhi High Court
Meanwhile, the Indian Youth Congress has approached the Delhi High Court after police denied permission for its proposed protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The court is scheduled to hear the plea on October 9.
With multiple political protests and gatherings planned in the capital, authorities have increased security measures and are closely monitoring developments ahead of October 10.
